Page 138 of Winter Vows

“I couldn’t stay away.”

“How did things go with Kit?”

“I’ll tell you about it later. Have dinner with me.”

“I can’t,” she said too quickly. “I shouldn’t leave Bobby again tonight.”

Dylan regarded her intently. “You’re not getting nervous about being alone with me, are you?”

“Of course not,” she retorted indignantly, but there were bright patches of color on her cheeks.

“Tsk, tsk, Doc. Fibbing doesn’t suit you.”

“You come to dinner at my house tonight,” she countered as if that would prove her bravery.

“With Bobby as chaperone? How convenient,” he taunted.

Her chin rose at that. “He has a very early bedtime.”

Dylan grinned. “Things are looking up. How about you, darlin’? Do you have an early bedtime?” She stared at him. “What has gotten into you?”

“I’m a man on a mission.”

The statement clearly disconcerted her. “What sort of a mission?”

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

“Tell me now. I’m an impatient woman.”

“Here? You want me to tell you here, in your office, with all those people just outside?” He followed her behind her desk, leaned down until his mouth hovered over hers.

“Mmm-hmm,” she murmured.

“I was thinking more along the lines of something with moonlight and roses, but if you say so...”

She swallowed hard. “Dylan, what...this isn’t about...you’re not going to...”

He touched a finger to her lips. “Hush. Let me say it.”

“I don’t think—”

“It’s not the time or the place,” he agreed. “But what the heck? We’re an unconventional pair. We do things our own way. Why not ask you to marry me in your office, especially now that I’ve seen just how cute you are in that lab coat?”

“Marry you?” she echoed, clearly stunned. “You’re asking me to marry you? Are you serious?”

He waved the jewelry box under her nose, then gestured for her to take it. “See for yourself.”

She put her hands behind her back as if she didn’t dare. Dylan opened the box instead. Kelsey gasped. Her eyes widened in wonder.

“You are serious.”

“Every bit as serious as one of those needles you’ve been poking around with today.”

“Why? What?” Her gaze searched his face. “Dylan, are you sure?”

“That I love you? Yes. Absolutely. Seeing Shane again also made me see that I don’t want to waste any more of my life being separated from the people I love. You’re one of those people. You and Bobby.”

“Just like that?” she asked incredulously.

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