Before We Kiss (Fool's Gold #14)

She flung herself at him. Caramel was between them, but the little dog simply relaxed into the double embrace and gave them both kisses.

Ryan hung on as if he would never let go. Fayrene breathed in the scent of him and knew she’d been a fool for too long.

“I’m sorry,” she said, drawing back enough to see his face. “I’m stubborn, and when I get an idea in my head I won’t let it go. Sometimes that’s a good thing, but sometimes it’s a pain in the butt. Like with my plan. When I said I wanted my business to grow before we got married, I meant it. But now I don’t want to wait. I love you, Ryan. I want to get married now. Only I didn’t know how to say that and I really wanted you to be the one to propose. Now I’m not even sure why. I guess I was telling myself that if you really loved me, you could read my mind. But that’s ridiculous.”

She paused to draw in a breath. “Oh, and Mayor Marsha said Caramel is our dog and I’d really like to keep her.”

Ryan studied her. “Wow. Okay. That’s a lot to take in.” He took the dog from her and set Caramel on a padded chair, then pulled Fayrene into his arms.

“I love you. I want to be with you. I hope you know that.”

She nodded and sniffed. No way she was going to cry and ruin this. “I know.”

“But I can’t read your mind.”

“I know that, too.”

“Is this why you invited Montana and her husband over?”

“Yes. And Pia and Raoul. And why I thought the Score weekend would be so good. I was trying to show you how great it would be to be married.”

“I already know it’s great. Because I get to be with you every day.” He cupped her face in his hands and gently kissed her. “Fayrene, you’re my world. I want to be with you always.”

He released her and walked around to his desk. He pulled open the bottom drawer and reached behind the hanging files. Then he pulled out a box from Jenel’s Gems.

“I bought this the day you told me you loved me,” he said. “I was going to wait for however long you wanted, but I also wanted to make sure I was ready when I finally got to do this.”

He stepped in front of her, then dropped to one knee. “Fayrene Hopkins, will you marry me?”

She nodded. Her throat was tight and the tears were just so close. “Yes,” she managed. “I love you.”

He rose and kissed her. “I love you, too.”

He opened the box. She stared at the most beautiful round solitaire she’d ever seen. The ring was perfect. Simple and elegant. He slid it on her finger and kissed her again.

After a couple of minutes, he drew back and picked up Caramel.

“I’m thinking flower girl,” he said. “Can’t you see her in a little dress with lots of bows?”

“I love it,” Fayrene said. “And you.”

“I love you, too.” He glanced at the dog. “Ready to make us your family?”

Caramel yipped once, then gave them both kisses. Ryan chuckled.

“I have to make a call,” he said. “Then let’s get out of here.”

“Where are we going?”

“Anywhere we can be alone. I just have to phone Joe and tell him I won’t be available for the rest of the day.” Ryan chuckled. “And maybe not tomorrow, either.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

“CAN I HELP YOU?” Sam asked as he glanced up and saw a little girl standing in the doorway to his office. She was thin, with bright red hair and pretty green eyes. He would guess she was seven or eight. He remembered he’d seen her before. About painting a box, maybe.

“Chloe?” he asked.

She nodded. “I’m looking for Kenny.”

“Okay. I can take you to him.” Poor Kenny, dealing with a very young crush.

“Thank you,” Chloe said politely. “My mom is Bailey Voss. She works for Mayor Marsha.” Chloe sounded proud of that fact. “I’m in the Future Warriors of the Máa-zib. Angel and Taryn are our grove leaders. Kenny helped me with knots and my friend’s jewelry box.”

“I remember,” Sam said as he led her down the hall. “His office is this way.”

Sam ushered Chloe inside. “You have a visitor.”

Kenny looked up from his computer. His brows drew together. “What’s up?”

Chloe smiled. “Hi, Kenny.”

Kenny looked both pleased and terrified. “Uh, hi, Chloe. What’s up?”

Sam was about to leave when Chloe spoke.

“We’re having a barbecue this weekend and I want you to come.”

Simple words. A common and uncomplicated invitation. Only it wouldn’t be that for Kenny, he thought. Not unless he and Bailey were friends and she had a clear understanding of how things were. Sam hesitated, not wanting to intrude, but needing to know if he had to protect his friend.

“Do I know your mom?” Sam asked.

Kenny answered. “She works for Mayor Marsha. Red hair, green eyes. Tall. Pretty.”

“You know her,” Chloe said confidently. “And if you don’t, you can meet her at the barbecue. We’re going to have lots of people over. It’ll be really fun. Mom makes great cakes. Everybody likes cake.”