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But she knew it was. What else would he keep hidden away inside a small velvet jewelry box?
Holding her breath, she flipped the lid open with her thumb, and there it was—an engagement ring.
Three diamonds representing their past, present, and future, set in white gold gleamed against the dark velvet, each one catching the dim light.
Her throat tightened as she traced the edge of the box with her fingertip.
Liam had been carrying on like nothing had changed between them, as if he was happy to let things unfold slowly, on her terms. But this, this wasn’t slow. This was a future. A vow.
A choice.
Her pulse pounded in her ears as she tried to process what it meant. When did he buy it? Why hadn’t he asked her yet? Was he waiting for the right moment? Had he second-guessed himself? Did he change his mind?
Just then she heard the front door open then close.
She gasped, dropped the box back into the drawer and slid it closed just as Liam stepped into the room.
He frowned, eyes flicking over her face, his hands braced casually against the doorframe. “Is everything all right, love? I thought maybe you would be asleep.”
“Yes, of course, fine. I…” Her voice wobbled. “Well, I mean, I was asleep, but I got cold, so I was looking for a blanket. I can’t find a damn thing in your room.”
He huffed a laugh in return and stepped closer. There was something in her eyes that didn’t seem right. “Are you sure you’re okay? You seem troubled.”
Nope. Not okay. Not even remotely. But she lied through her teeth and yawned good and wide to disguise it. She even threw in a wide two-armed stretch into her performance. “I’m just tired is all.”
Something about how the thought of him asking her to marry him sent her heart into a panicked, hopeful free fall. How she didn’t know if she was ready—but how a part of her wanted to be.
Liam watched her for another beat, then shook his head with a smile. “Come on, I’ll grab an extra blanket, and get the fire going again. And maybe make us some hot chocolate. You look like you need it.”
“That sounds nice.” She yawned again figuring if she did it twice then it would be more believable. Never mind that her heart was hammering against her ribs.
He turned toward the hallway, and Sophie exhaled a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. She carefully opened the drawer so as not to make any noise then slipped the ring box back where she found it and carefully arranged the contents of the drawer exactly as it had been.
When she closed the armoire doors, she took a moment to steady herself.
She had just seen her future. And whether she was ready or not, it was waiting for her.
Chapter21
Keefe moved swiftlythrough the kitchen wiping down the counters, giving everything a good polish. A quiche was in the oven, its buttery scent filling the air, and there was still a list of tasks waiting for him.
The grand opening of the pub was just around the corner, and every minute counted. He should have been thinking about the menu—maybe adding a Sunday brunch to bring in the late-morning crowd—but instead, his mind kept drifting back to Sophie.
At first, he had chalked it up to stress. They both had their hands full, and Sophie had always been a perfectionist. But this—this was something else entirely. She had been moody for days now, snapping over the smallest things and pacing the pub like a caged animal. He hadn’t seen her like this in a long time. It worried him.
And speak of the devil, Sophie shoved open the back door of the kitchen with her hip, nearly dropping a bag as she stormed inside, a gust of wind following.
The door smacked against the wall with a thud, rattling the dishes on the nearest shelf and making Keefe glance up from sweeping the floor.
Juggling three overstuffed grocery bags, she grumbled under her breath, her cheeks flushed with irritation. A loose strand of hair had escaped her messy bun and clung to her cheek, and she huffed in frustration as she dumped the bags onto the counter.
Keefe raised an eyebrow at her dramatic entrance. “Jeesh! What’s got you in a tizzy? Bad day at the store?” He started unloading the bags, digging through the produce. “Did you get the strawberries?”
Still scowling, Sophie yanked off her coat and tossed it onto a hook with unnecessary force. “No. Jesus. You would think Belgian diamond merchants had handled those berries for what they were charging!”
“Hm, I’m meeting a produce supplier later today. Hopefully, they work out.”
“Yeah, hopefully.” Sophie exhaled sharply. She was starving and had a headache brewing. “Is there anything to eat?” she asked as she reached onto a shelf and brought out a bottle of aspirin.
