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“Noted.” Chris sat forward and pointed to his jeans lying on the floor. “Can you hand me my pants?”
Tori gaped, not moving.
“I’m kidding. And I certainly wouldn’t carry a ring around in my ratty jeans.”
“Right, I know. I mean, we’re nowhere near there.”
“Right,” he added, watching what looked like disappointment take over her face.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
“Ineed yourhelp,” Chris said, fidgeting with the salt and pepper shakers sitting on the table in front of him. They would either think he was nuts or be happy. In truth, he’d been fluctuating between the two himself. It wasn’t that he wasn’t sure about his decision, but rather, he was absolutely certain, and despite Tori’s claim that it wasn’t important, he wanted it to be perfect.
Ryan and Claire exchanged worried looks.
He cleared his throat and continued, forcing his eyes up to meet Ryan’s. “I’d like to ask Tori to marry me… with your blessing of course.”
Ryan stared straight ahead at him. His face gave nothing away. Any trace of the playful, easygoing demeanor Ryan usually exuded was gone.
“You’re sure about this?”
Chris swallowed, trying to dislodge the lump in his throat. ‘I’ve never been surer of anything.”
Ryan leaned back, his elbow propped on his chair and one leg extended forward. “Two things.” Ryan lifted two fingers. “One — I’ll kick your ass, or find someone who can do it for me, if you so much as look at another woman after that ring is on her finger. Two — I want to be there when you propose. She’s either gonna be so excited she does cartwheels or turn you down and make a damn fool of you. Either way, I’d like a front row seat.”
“Gee, thanks,” Chris mumbled and nodded his agreement.
“If it makes you feel any better, I’m pulling for the first scenario.” Ryan winked and a big, toothy grin stretched his mouth.
“O-o-oh! I’m so excited.” Claire bounced in her chair. “How can I help?”
Chris scrunched his face up and looked to Claire. “Know anything about rings?”
“This is amazing!” Susan wrapped her arms around Tori’s neck and squeezed tightly. “I can’t thank you enough.”
“I can’t take credit for this. This is beyond anything I ever dreamed.”
Susan rushed off with a smile, and Tori glanced around the packed room. It seemed the entire town had shown up to support Susan and Dax. Women stood in groups, holding drinks and chatting happily, while the men huddled around the ring, which was currently occupied with ring girls circling around with the handmade cards Claire had created raised over their heads. She looked for Charlie in the crowd and wasn’t surprised when she found him front and center. He whistled and cheered as the ladies passed by him.
With a shake of her head, she hustled to the front of the building in search of Ryan. Since last night, she’d been walking around with Chris and proposals on the brain. It had festered all day until she felt like she might explode if she didn’t find Ryan and tell him everything now. If she had any hope of a future with Chris, then she had to make sure her brother would sign off on it. If he wouldn’t— She couldn’t even think about that.
Turning on her heel, she nearly collided with a wide-eyed Claire.
“Hey, what are you doing here?” Tori asked, giving her a quick one-armed hug.
Claire sighed. “I ran out on Reed. I was sitting there, and he was saying all the right things, and he looked, ugh,perfect,but all I could think about was Jake.”
Tori held back a smile.
Claire grinned and linked her arm through Tori’s. “Also, I wanted to be here tonight. This is incredible.”
Tori led Claire to the makeshift bar. “I’m glad you’re here, but I am sorry about Reed.”
Claire shrugged her shoulders and scanned the room.
“Jake is with Chris out back. He’s helping him warm up.
Claire’s shoulders wilted, and she lifted the wine glass to her lips.
