Page 117 of The Proposal
“Why?”
She looks at me and smiles. “Well, Mason Music Label is owned by Coy Mason. He is one of my good friends, Siggy Mason’s son.” She laughs. “What a small world.”
I glance at my ring.
“Yes, that’s her,” Bianca says. “The jewelry designer. Mom has the hookup.”
“Do you like your wedding ring?” Rory asks.
“We sent Renn fifty or sixty options,” Bianca says, laughing. “He was so picky—wouldn’t settle until he found the exact one.” She makes a face at her brother. “You’re so cute, Renny.”
“Wow,” I say, smiling at my husband. “That’s really sweet.”
It wasn’t Astrid.Hechose this for me. That makes me love it even more.
“Don’t buy into the bullshit,” Ripley jokes from across the room.
Renn points at him, walking his way while firing a retort. Ripley’s smile never leaves his face.
“I do love it,” I say, returning to Bianca and Rory. “It’s gorgeous. I can’t imagine anything more beautiful.”
Rory takes a stack of plates out of the cabinet. “He did do a good job. I was very proud. Raising a boy with taste is so hard.”
Bianca looks over her shoulder at the men at the island. “One out of five sons isn’t bad.”
Rory laughs. “I have hope for Jason.”
They chatter back and forth among themselves, working me into the conversation at every available opportunity. It’s an effortless interaction, and I laugh with them like old friends. Every now and then, I feel Renn’s eyes on me. And each time, I look at him and smile. Without fail, he smiles back.
Yet there’s a wobbliness between us. I don’t know if it’s my doing—my fear that somehow, he’ll want to back away from me—or if it’s a true gut reaction that something is amiss.
I want to find my spot here. I want to blend in with the others and share their jokes. Of course, I do. This is all I’ve ever wanted.
They are warm—Reid excluded. Inviting. Kind. Rory turns me loose in her kitchen to look for her serving spoons, something many women won’t allow. And the fact that she accepts me into her fold and the rest of them makes my nerves even worse. Not to mention her ability tomom huglike a champion. I’ve missed those. A lot. Imagine getting them regularly. Yes, please.
Ugh, why does that make me emotional?
And why do emotions have to be so hard to navigate?
“Rory, may I use your powder room?” I ask.
“Of course. It’s down the hall. The fourth door on your right.”
“Thank you.”
I need to settle down. To catch my breath.
I slip into the hallway and count doors, blatantly ignoring the vases and gold candlesticks. My steps tap against the stone floor.Tap. Tap. Tap. I reach for the handle but stop when I hear my name.
“Blakely.”
Coming toward me is Reid. I have no idea where he came from, but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s approaching me with a look of displeasure in his eyes.
I gulp. “I was just going to use the powder room.”
“Why don’t you step into my office for a second?” He opens the door across the hall. “I’ll only take a few moments of your time.”
My heart pounds at an alarming rate.Do I go in there and talk to him? Logic says it can’t hurt anything … but my gut says otherwise.
