Page 48 of My Grumpy Sweetheart
“Naaw.” Bailey smiled up at me, practically glowing. “You’re so sweet.”
Okay, so maybe I shouldn’t add thelike a funguspart.
Got it.
Sean grimaced, which made my lips curl into a satisfied smile. “It’s… great you’re still going strong. And amazing that you chose to come back. Well, I need to get this show on the road. Do you still know where to find everything?”
I nodded towards the woven baskets that were placed under a particularly big tree. It wasn’t like the concept was that complicated. Grab a basket, go out, and pick as many apples as you can or want.
“How many do we need to pick for you to be happy?” I whispered into Bailey’s ear, making him shiver.
“At least twenty.”
“Twenty apples?”
Bailey giggled. “Twenty pounds — but ideally, we’ll manage thirty or forty. I’m prepared. I have the dehydrator set up and chocolate just waiting for the apples to be dipped in it.”
Heaving out a sigh, I slightly knocked my head against his. “The things we do for love.”
Bailey wrapped both his arms around me and beamed up at me. “Naaw, you love me.”
“I do.” Like I’d never loved someone before.
* * *
BAILEY
Cute couple’s activity planned: check.
Romantic dinner booked: check.
Amazing, secluded spot for my proposal during sunset: check.
Engagement rings…
Oh fuck.
My heart started racing as I patted myself down even though I knew there was no way I had the black, velvety box hidden anywhere on me. Nope. Too risky. Dakota occasionally liked putting his hands in my pockets to grope me, and while it’d certainly be hilarious and unforgettable for him to find the ring that way, I had put so much work into this whole thing, I wouldn’t screw it up like that.
But that meant the rings were still in the suitcase. Wait, no. The suitcases had already been unpacked by Dakota. Had he found the ring box? In my opinion, I’d found an amazing hiding place for it, but what if he’d found it by accident? That would ruin everything.
Pursing my lips, I crossed the room, ripped open the closet door, and looked for my shoes. A sigh escaped me upon seeing the beautiful, black ankle boots that made my butt pop but were uncomfortable as hell neatly placed in a row with the other shoes on the bottom of the closet.
I grabbed the right one and shoved my hand right in, sighing with relief as my fingers hit the firm velvet.
Still there.
Carefully, I pulled the small box out of my shoe, the smile returning to my lips upon having it safe inside my fist.
Engagement rings: check.
There really wasn’t anything to do but wait for Dakota and Crispin to return from their walk.
Which was bad because that meant I had plenty of time to think about this. Again. And again.
I knew Dakota loved me. Even if he wouldn’t tell me all the time, I’d know it. It showed in everything he did. In the way he was grumpy with everyone but me — and Crispin, but he was a dog, and everyone loved dogs. In the way he told me to be safe whenever I went to work. In the way he had my favorite rom-com and a bowl of popcorn ready when he knew I’d had a taxing workday. In the way he bought me gifts he knew I’d love. Lip gloss. Panties. Colorful hoodies and blouses. Things my exes never bought me because they were too loud, too feminine, too extra.
But Dakota didn’t just barely tolerate those parts of me, he embraced them. Cherished them — without thinking I was fragile or less than.
