“Don’t you dare question whether I’m sure or not.”
I snigger. “Wouldn’t dream of it.” Iwasgoing to ask her how she planned to get home, but I swallow that question down under the force of her stare, and leave her to it.
While I might not be nervous about introducing Christian to my family, or even my plans to propose to him in front of them, Iamnervous about seeing him again. The real him. Not the him that I’ve apparently been madly in love with for months, but the guy I only just met who I had an all-night sex marathon with and desperately wish I could touch again.
But can’t.
I’ll need to behave myself.
My resolve is sorely tested when he opens the door wearing a pair of ridiculously tight pants, a form-hugging button-up, with a blazer slung over his shoulder. My damn pulse rate jumps.
“Hey.”
Christian blinks his sweet blue eyes at me, and answers in a voice that’s gravelly and deep. “Hey.” He shifts, focus dropping to himself. “Does this look okay?”
“Perfect.”
“Really?” His genuine surprise is adorable.
“Remember what I said about honesty?” I step forward and brush a kiss to his cheek. “You look mouthwatering.”
He laughs. “Not the impression I was hoping to leave your family with.”
“By the time the day is over, it’ll be the last thing on their minds.”
We exchange the same shrewd expression as I step inside and close the front door. Once I’ve made sure none of hisroommates are lurking, I slip my hand into my pocket and pull out the ring box.
“I got you this.”
“Fuck.” His hand immediately moves to rub at his wayward curls. “That box looks fancy and real.”
“Itisreal. What were you expecting, something out of a cereal box?”
“Don’t be stupid.” He leans forward, tilting his head to the side to get a better look at the box. “I thought our relationship was at least at claw machine prize level.”
“Silly me skipped a few steps.” I crack the box, sliding both sides open, and his eyebrows nearly meet his hairline.
“Double fuck. That thing is … is … you want me towearthat?”
I close the box with a snap and slide it back into my jacket pocket. “Most people I know will be there today. I thought it might be a good idea if I introduced you to them, then proposed in front of everyone.”
“Wow. We’re going to make a real show of it.”
“You’re an actor, aren’t you?” I ask, giving him a playful nudge. “Think you can muster up a tear? A shriek? Some display of overwhelming emotion?”
He’s still staring at the place the ring was, looking uncertain, but he snaps himself out of it with a shake of his head. “You know what? I got you.”
“You should know that I’m ridiculously excited about this. It’s maybe the most interesting thing to happen to me in a long time.”
“You just got back from overseas.”
“Yes, but I wasn’t vacationing. I was working.” I can’t resist tweaking his nose. “In acafé, if you must know. Making coffees and waiting tables. I thoroughly enjoyed it.”
“For real? You left that part out of all our talks.”
It saddens me that he even needs to ask at all, but I remind myself that once this is all over, I can live whatever life I want to live. I step closer. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me.”
He mirrors the movement, closing the gap between us until we’re close enough the toes of our shoes are touching. “Good thing I’ve got time.”