He noticed Mekena looked relieved as Avery said, “No, he isn’t going to make it.”
“Oh, that’s crappy. I haven’t seen him in months. Whatever, I’ll give him shit later. Okay, five more minutes.”
“What was that about?” Avery asked as she came over, taking Ashlyn, and he shrugged.
“I don’t know, she’s crazy.”
She side-eyed him. “Secrets don’t make friends, Benji.”
He grinned and she smiled back as she started to feed Ashlyn. “Who’s this Markus guy? Should I be worried?”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re about to propose,” she whispered as she shook her head. “Worry about that, not some guy who means nothing to her. He’s just a family friend.”
“A douche,” Mekena said and Benji’s eyes widened.
“That too,” Avery agreed and Benji knew there was more to that story, but he was too caught up in his own thoughts to worry about it. Sitting down across from them, Benji looked down at his phone, his heart pounding in his chest. Trying to keep his mind off what was about to happen, he thought about Baylor. He couldn’t believe it, but at the same time, if she had to leave the league, he would rather it be on her own terms, for a good reason and not because she was forced. Having a baby, yeah, that was a damn good way to go out. Wow, he was so happy for her and Jayden.
And damn, he wanted the same thing.
He just hoped Lucy would say yes. She was a prickly little thing, and he was sure she would say it was too early, but man, was he ready. So damn ready to make that woman his. He wanted to build a life with her, have a baby one day, and he couldn’t wait for the chance to hold a little baby that looked just like her. Or maybe, he’d get lucky and his genes would pull through. Not likely, but he just wanted the life he wanted.
With Lucy.
And Angie, of course.
The door opened and Angie came running out in a beautiful white lace sundress with her hair in pigtails. She stopped in front of him. “I look like a baby.”
“I think you’re adorable.”
She made a face as he looked up to see Lucy walking out. His next breath was promptly gone as she moved toward him. She was in a matching white lace sundress; her hair was pulled to the side in a braid with a big, white flower over her ear. She had redone her makeup, a light pink shade on her lips. It wasn’t the red he loved, but she was simply gorgeous.
“Wow,” he murmured and she grinned, her eyes sparkling.
“Yeah, yeah, come on,” she said, lacing her fingers with his and then heading out to the beach. “We’re losing sun.”
“For someone who was tired, you seem pretty eager to do this,” he accused as Mekena followed with Avery and Ashlyn in tow.
“Because every picture we have at home is of us sticking our tongues out. I swear, if either of your tongues come out, I’m smacking you,” she warned, and just like that, Benji and Angie stuck their tongues out at her at the same time. She glared. “Really?”
Glancing at each other, they laughed as he snaked one arm around Lucy’s shoulders and held Angie’s hand with the other as they headed to the beach. He wanted to say he was calm, that he was ready to pop the question. But as they posed in different positions, Mekena snapping away, Benji was ready to have a panic attack. He had this crazy feeling she would say no—which was probably insane—but it still freaked him out.
“Let me get some of just Angie doing some cute stuff. I want one of her and Ashlyn too, for Mrs. Moore,” Mekena said, and that was his cue.
Shit.
His heart was in this throat.
“Oh, that would be wonderful,” Lucy gushed as Avery grinned.
“Right, Benji,” Avery said, widening her eyes to Benji because he was supposed to take Lucy away.
Crap.
Reaching for her, he took her hand. “Hey, come here.”
“Why? I want to watch this.”
“I know, but I want to talk to you. Over there.”
“Why? Talk later. Let me do this,” she said, turning around, but Avery shook her head.
“Lucy, go. I’ve got this.”
Lucy made a face. “What in the world? I can talk to him later.”
Everyone just stood there, no one knowing what to do.
“Lucy, damn it, come on,” he said, and she raised a brow.
“I mean, what is so serious that you have to talk to me right now?” she complained, and he almost said it. Almost yelled that he wanted to propose, but he just held her gaze.
“Please, walk with me over there.”
She let out an annoyed breath. It figured this wouldn’t be easy. When was anything ever easy with Lucy Sinclair? As he reached for her hand, she took his reluctantly as they walked toward the shore. “I don’t know why this couldn’t wait.”
“’Cause I want to talk now,” he said, stopping and then sitting down. “Sit.”
“Ugh,” she complained and he wanted to strangle her, but he couldn’t help but chuckle.
When she sat down beside him, he took her hand in his, lacing his fingers with hers before kissing the back of her hand. “I love you,” he whispered, and her little scowl flattened some as she smiled.