Page 11 of Exposed
All Jamison could do was shake his head while he beamed like a fool. “We always have to do things the hard way, don’t we?”
“It seems so.”
He kissed Kace’s forehead and resumed walking. “Don’t think you’ve distracted me, though. What has you in a bad mood?”
“It’s ridiculous, and I’d rather not say.”
Jamison released a loud and put-upon sigh. “There’s not a single thing you can’t talk to me about. Even if you think it’s idiotic, it’s obviously bothering you. I want to hear it.”
“All right. Just remember, I already said it’s dumb for me to be bothered. My mom called today to tell me we’re invited to my cousin’s wedding. He’s twenty-seven. I’m forty-two andwatching everyone tie the knot and settle down. I guess I just thought I’d be in a different place by this age. Everything else I set out to do, I’ve done, so feeling down about this doesn’t make sense. I have a great career. It’s one I worked damn hard to get. Obviously, I’m dating an amazing guy. Forget it. Saying everything out loud now makes me sound like a fool.”
“No. I get it.” He really did. “I’m forty and I feel the same way. When I left the military, I genuinely thought I would walk straight into a picture-perfect life.” He flashed Kace a sad smile. “Instead, I came home a PTSD-ridden mess who can’t work a normal job or keep anyone because of my job or my crazy. Honestly, every time I see you, I expect you to tell me it’s over. If roles were reversed, I don’t know that I could handle knowing you’re cuddling other people.”
Kace leaned his way and kissed his shoulder. “It’s not sexual. I know that. Plus, I trust you.”
He was wonderful. Jamison spotted a small red teddy bear in green Christmas-themed overalls. He grabbed it and made a show of giving it to Kace. “You should marry me.”
Kace’s fingers had just closed around the bear when Jamison’s impulsive statement landed. He froze. They both still held the bear. Kace blinked like Jamison had snapped his brain.
“Are you being serious?”
Was he? “Yeah.” His mouth just kept saying things.
“We’ve only been together five months.”
“Yeah. They’ve been the best months of my life.”
“We literally just admitted to loving each other.”
Jamison shrugged. “I’ve known for a while. Are you saying no?”
“No. I’m not saying no. I’m just waiting for you to realize what you just did.”
That was fair. Jamison definitely hadn’t expected this. “No need. I did what I did and said what I said.”
“Then, yes.”
A smile slowly stretched Jamison’s lips as the truth sank in. Kace had agreed to marry him. Never in a million years would he have seen that coming. It might have been a surprise, even to him, but Jamison couldn’t be happier.
Kace stayed locked in a state of shock through shopping and dinner. He still couldn’t decide if Jamison had proposed out of a desire to marry him or because Kace complained about not being married. Kace might have continued his downward spiralof overthinking if Jamison didn’t drive straight to the mall after they ate.
“Do you have more gifts to buy?”
“I guess, technically, yeah. They have a jewelry store. Let’s get an engagement ring.” Jamison climbed from the truck without waiting for Kace to respond.
Kace was right behind him.
Jamison waited with his hand held out for Kace to hold.
Kace didn’t say a word. If Jamison was serious, then Kace was too. His parents had gotten married after a month of dating and stayed married until his dad passed away from lung cancer. So far, his mom showed no interest in remarrying. He wanted that. Obviously not the passing away part. But he desperately craved the love and confidence in that love that it took to be bold. If he took a chance on anyone, it would be Jamison.
“Maybe I should wait and get you something nicer than a ring from a chain store. Don’t they say one month’s salary or some shit? I could probably save that.”
Kace heard the embarrassment in Jamison’s tone. Neither of them were rich, especially in the terrible economy. He could make real bank if he went into plastic surgery, which he had thought about. That was neither here nor there, though. He had a good job with above average pay, but he also understood living paycheck to paycheck. He had definitely done that throughoutcollege. “That’s not what I want. I want you. It’s not the ring. It’s what it stands for.”
Jamison kissed their joined hands. Then life turned surreal again as they moved from case to case while a salesperson made suggestions based on Kace’s skin tone. Jamison made sure he never saw a price tag. He was adorable in how seriously he took the matter. Kace couldn’t stop staring at him with stars in his eyes. He had no clue how he had gotten so lucky.
Kace narrowed his selection down to three. Jamison shooed him away so he could make the final choice. Kace wandered around the store, eyeing the jewelry. He should get Jamison a necklace for Christmas.
