Page 68 of Untether

The faces around me are sympathetic, thoughtful.

‘What’s done is done, mate,’ Rafe says. ‘Go and see her. Check in with her, make sure she’s feeling okay about it all. That’s all you can do.’

I nod, feeling better about all this. ‘Yeah. Will do. And Gen, I’ll suggest a chat with you if she needs a woman’s perspective?’

‘Absolutely,’ Gen says.

‘Okay.’ I blow out a breath. I feel a bit fragile, almost teary, which is seriously fucking weird. I’ll go see her. I’ll bring her some flowers, and I’ll make sure she knows how much I admire and respect her.

It’ll all be fine.

‘What was it you wanted to talk about while Maddy’s not here, mate?’ I ask Rafe, mentally shrugging off my Aida concerns until I can devote myself to her in person.

‘Oh, yeah.’ He shifts a bit and rubs his palms on his thighs. He looks flustered, which isn’t Rafe’s style at all. He’s a cool customer. ‘Well, I wanted to tell you guys first. I’m going to propose to Belle this weekend.’

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Gen’s hand flies to her mouth as she gasps loudly.

I slap my thigh in delight. ‘Fuck,yes, mate.’

‘Ah, that’s amazing,’ Zach says, reaching over to slap Rafe heartily on the back. ‘I’m so happy for you both.’

‘She hasn’t said yes yet,’ Rafe reminds us.

We all scoff, because the idea of Belle turning him down is frankly ridiculous, and he knows it.

‘Done deal,’ I tell him.

‘I hope so. Obviously, I couldn’t have told you with Maddy around.’

‘Um, nope,’ Zach deadpans. No one knows better than him that his girlfriend is as indiscreet as she is effusive. ‘I’ll have to pretend I didn’t know. She’ll be furious if she thinks I knew before her.’

‘Tell us the plan,’ Gen demands, clasping her hands over her crossed legs.

He clears his throat. ‘I was going to take her abroad, but I couldn’t work out how to get the ring through security at the airport without her spotting it.’

‘Valid point,’ I say, nodding. I love that my ex-playboy mate has himself tied up in knots over proposing to his girlfriend.

‘So I’ve hired out the Wallace Collection for next Friday evening,’ he says, ‘and I’ve got a string quartet booked. We’ll have a stroll around, and I’ll propose in one of the rooms, and hopefully she’ll say yes, and then we’ll stroll some more, I suppose. Enjoy some champagne. Just… let it sink in. I dunno.’

We’re all quiet as we take in his plan. I can’t say I’ve ever been to the Wallace Collection, but I know it’s a small, private art gallery in a gorgeous mansion near Marylebone. It’s presumably the perfect place to propose to Belle, who’s an art dealer and very passionate about her field.

‘It’s bloody perfect,’ Gen says, and I don’t miss the catch in her voice. ‘Oh, wow. Well done you. She’s going to love it.’

‘You think?’ Rafe asks, scratching at his stubble.

‘Absolutely, mate,’ Zach tells him as I say, ‘She’ll be in pieces. Like Gen said, it’s perfect.’

‘God, I really hope so,’ Rafe says. ‘I think it’s what she wants—marriage, I mean. We’ve discussed it, you know? In an abstract way. It’s just—she’s so young. Part of me feels guilty about tying her down so early. I’ve sown my oats, and then some. Marriage is so final for her. Maybe it’s selfish, but I can’t wait.’

Jesus, what the fuck is wrong with me this morning? There’s a prickling at the back of my eyes, and I blink it away in a panic.

‘It’s not selfish,’ I tell him. I feel strongly about this. ‘It’s wonderful, and it’s exactly what Belle wants. You know she’s never had this inclination to play the field. She adores you. You’re her entire world, and her future, too. So what if she’syoung? I say you’re both lucky. You get plenty of time together.’

‘Maybe,’ he says. ‘I just—fuck. I can’t wait to start a family with her. But I’m so conscious that we’ll be on my timeline, because I’d love at least one kid before I’m forty. Whereas she could easily wait another decade if she wasn’t with me.’

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