Page 98 of Eleven of a Kind

“Yeah, sure.”

“Let’s go in my office.”

I followed behind him. “Riley, take your bag home, and I’ll be there soon. We can open the boxes and look at your stuff.”

“Okay, Dad.”

“What’s going on?” I asked as we stepped into his office, and he shut the door.

He walked over to his safe, opened it, and pulled out a small ring box.

“This.” He flipped the lid open. “I’m going to ask Ava to marry me tonight, and I’m nervous as hell.”

“Wow, Grayson. That’s a gorgeous ring. Congratulations.” I hugged him tightly. “I’m so happy for you. You know how much I love her, and I wouldn’t pick anyone else for you to call your wife.”

“Thanks, bro. What if she says no?”

“She’s not going to, and you know it. Even if she had the thought, the others would stop her. They all love you to death.”

“True.” He grinned.

“So stop worrying. You know how much Ava loves you.”

“I know, and I love her so much. How’s Piper?” He grinned.”

“Piper is perfect, and I’m really happy.”

“Okay. You can say it,” he said.

“Say what?”

“You can tell me how wrong you were when you insisted on how happy you were being a bachelor.”

I chuckled. “Fine. I guess I wasn’t as happy as I thought I was.”

I left Grayson’s house and went home.

“I think this house is haunted,” Riley said.

“Why do you say that?” I frowned.

“Every once in a while, I’ll feel a chill sweep over me. And let’s be honest, we live in California, and it’s a hundred degrees out right now.”

I wouldn’t lie and say I didn’t feel it every now and again because I did.

“Who knows, sweetheart. Let’s get these boxes opened.”

A couple of hours later, there was a knock at the door.

“Who could that be?” I grinned at Riley.

“It’s Piper!” She smiled as she jumped up and ran to the front door. “Piper!” She screamed.

“Riley!” Piper shouted back as she hugged her. “I’m so happy to see you, sweet girl.”

“I’m happy to see you too. Come in.”

I walked over and grabbed Piper’s bag from her hands.