Page 43 of Better Together

“Yes!” Ben shouted.

“Remi, where’s your ring?” Abby asked.

Remi looked down at the hand Abby held. “Um, well, I don’t have one yet.”

Colt hefted the bags higher on his wrists and turned around. “Can’t leave without rings.”

Ben whined, but Abby cheered.

Remi was beside Colt in an instant. “I don’t need a fancy ring. Let’s go get something cheap.”

“I’m not buying my wife a cheap ring.” How could she even think he’d do that?

“I’m not your wife yet, and this is turning into an expensive outing,” she whispered.

“Don’t worry about it. I know how to save money. I literally only need a bed and pizza to survive, so I put a lot back.”

“But this was all my idea,” Remi argued.

“Stop your griping and help me find a jewelry store.”

Remi gasped. “How dare you talk to your wife like that.”

“You’re not my wife yet,” he said, looking up at the mall directory.

With a growl, Remi pointed to a store on the map. They spent half an hour browsing while Ben grumbled about his hunger. Finally, Remi and Abby had decided on a simple solitaire for her and a small gold band for him, and Colt walked out of the store fifteen hundred dollars lighter.

Remi looked both ways down the sidewalk. “Now, lunch, then ice cream.”

Colt piled the contents of their shopping spree on a bench and rummaged in the little bag for Remi’s ring.

“Walker, we don’t have time for a rest break. Ben’s stomach is eating itself.”

When Remi turned around, the wrinkle between her brows disappeared. Colt rested on one knee, holding the ring up between them.

Abby squealed and jumped up and down. “I saw this on TV before!”

Remi shook her head, and a whisper of a grin spread over her face. “What are you doing?”

“Proposing to you.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“I’m not. Let me have this moment.”

Remi rolled her eyes as Abby tugged on her hand. “Say yes. Say yes!”

Colt cleared his throat, pausing for dramatic effect. “Remington Michelle Taylor–”

“That’s not my middle name,” Remi said low.

“Whatever. I’m improvising. Remington Louisa Taylor, will you make me the happiest man in the world and do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Abby and Ben both laughed, and Remi tapped a fingertip on her chin as if considering her options.

This wasn’t the first time Remi had made Colt want to hit his knees, but just like in his dreams, this time she would say yes. They could start a life together the way he’d always wanted.

Remi let her arms fall to her sides. “I guess I can marry you, since you asked so nicely.”

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