Ford opens the ring box.
The silver band glints in the setting sun. A smooth-cut, deep red ruby rests at the center. On either side, the metal twists into our symbol. A circle, with three triangles on top, a heart at the bottom, and a flame with an infinity symbol at the center. I have no idea who made it, but they did an incredible job making it look effortless.
I nod, my voice caught in my throat as the tears come before I can stop them. “Yes, of course I will.”
Ford stands first and slides the ring onto my finger.
Wes rises and kisses me, lips firm in the way I love from him, before he passes me to Logan.
Hebrushes his fingers along my jaw, then leans in. His kiss lingers, more gentle than he’s been in a while. I press into him more. A small smile touches his lips before he steps back and Jace is there to take his place.
His hands pull me close until we’re flush against each other. He lifts my arms to wrap around his neck before kissing me with such passion that my head grows fuzzy with desire.
Last but not least, Ford gently takes my arm and breaks the kiss as he draws me into his embrace. He tilts my chin up with the tips of his fingers. My eyes flutter closed as his breath ghostsover my lips before kissing me with the same tenderness he always shows me.
A smile spreads as I pull back and look at them all, then down at the weight on my finger.
They really did think of everything.
Chapter 22
Istep into the tent. They follow, and my boots thud on a hardwood platform built to level out the uneven, grassy terrain next to the lake.
Off-white canvas is stretched tight over a metal frame.The high tent walls around me all join at a point in the center over a large support beam.
Light filters down from four battery sconces clipped to the canvas.
A tall, massive air mattress stands at the center of the back. It’s covered in dark green sheets and an ivory duvet. Matching pillows are stacked out by size and make it look cozy and inviting.
Lavender and lemongrass hit first from several diffusers set throughout the place. Then rosemary, garlic, and somethingslow-roasted. My stomach reacts with a growl. I didn’t eat this morning out of nervousness for my meeting.
A long table anchors the space with six settings. Domed platters line the center.
It takes me a moment to realize that *On the Nature of Daylight plays on a loop in the background. Hearing it makes my throat tight, and it’s hard not to cry. They’ve been paying attention to what I listen to. It’s been my most recent comfort song.
Ford steps in behind me. His palm finds the base of my spine. “Go on.” His voice is steady. “It’s all for you.”
Wes comes in on my left. His fingers brush my elbow. “We hope you like it.”
Logan moves to the table and pulls out the chair at the head. “You deserve all of this, Kie.”
Jace rounds the spread and lifts one of the domes to reveal a roasted chicken. “We love you.”
I step forward and take the offered seat. My brain’s still trying to catch up. “All of this is incredible,” I whisper.
Ford steps up to the chicken and picks up a carving set. He cuts into the chicken and places several pieces of dark and white meat onto the plate in front of me. Then he does the same for the others before he takes the seat to my left.
I can’t take my eyes off the structure of the tent. “How did you do all of this?”
Logan comes over with a bottle of white wine. “A glamping company.They came out yesterday and built this for us. Then we used another company to help decorate it. We have it for the next week to last through your heat since we will also have heat-leave from work.” He pours me a glass and passes the bottle to Ford before he takes the seat to his left.
Jace leans his elbows on the table from the right on the other side of Wes. “We hired a chef for the food. He used the old Mess Hall kitchen to make all of this and the dessert.”
He grins. “We’re also stocked on food for the week as well. So we’re free to relax and pretend the world doesn’t exist outside of here for a beat.”
A small smile pulls at my lips. “Like we did when we were kids.”
The ruby on my finger catches the light and I stare at it. I want to pinch myself and make sure this isn’t some kind of wonderful dream. But I don’t want to wake up and be back in my old apartment. All of this feels too magical to be true.
