Page 64 of The Obvious Check
It’s not the kind of ring I wanted to propose with, not even close, but it’s what I have right now, and I don’t want to waste another second waiting for the perfect moment when I already know this is right.
“Marry me, Savannah.”
“You’re joking, right?”
Savannah’s voice is laced with disbelief, her brows furrowed so deeply I’m worried they might never smooth out.
I shake my head. “Nope. I wouldn’t joke about this, Pretty Girl.”
Her gaze flicks down to the ridiculous purple ring pop on her finger like this whole thing is an elaborate prank and she’s waiting for it to disappear.
“I know the ring isn’t ideal,” I admit, giving her hand a squeeze. “It’s just for now. You don’t even have to wear it. Hell, you can eat it if you want. But I’ll get you a real one soon. Ipromise.”
“You’re serious, aren’t you?”
I nod.
She lets out a short, nervous laugh, still trying to piece me together like I’m some impossible puzzle. “Why the hell would we do that?”
“Because it makes perfect sense?” I offer.
She blinks. “In what world?”
“Mine,” I say with a casual shrug, trying not to feel offended by the way she’s taking this.
She shakes her head, her eyes narrowing in on me. Any semblance of sleep is long gone now. “We’ve been on one date,” she points out, crossing her arms. “How can you even think we’re ready for that?”
“It’s simple, really.” I tilt my head, watching her closely. “I like you. I think you like me, too. Marry me, and you get your sister back.”
Her jaw practically unhinges. “What—what the hell are you even talking about? How does that make any sense?”
Okay, I’m losing her, but I think I can get her back.
“Think about it,” I press on, shifting closer. “You said you need a stable environment for the courts to take you seriously, right? How much more stable does it get than being engaged to an NHL player with a two-bedroom apartment in one of the best cities in California?”
She tightens her arms across her chest and her brows stay firmly crossed as her lips curl. Gotta admit, this isn’t exactly how I pictured my future fiancée looking at me, but she hasn’t said no, so I’m still in the game.
“You want Adley here?” She points at the couch. “In your apartment?”
I nod. “Yeah, there’s more than enough space for her. She’d have her own room, her own space, and I’m pretty sure there’s a fancy prep school about fifteen minutes away. They might take her in because of her circumstances. It’d be perfect. You’d be able to look after the place while I’m in Atlanta with my team next year.”
“Next year?” Her voice cracks, barely more than a whisper. “You’d want me living here next year with Adley?”
“Well, you’d be my wife, so yeah, you’d be living here.” I grin, thinking about it a little more. “Unless you wanted to move to Atlanta with me?”
Her mouth drops open, her entire body freezing.
Okay. Maybe too much, too soon.
“But that’s something we can think about later,” I amend quickly, waving off my own stupidity. “Having you and Adley here would be best for now. It’ll keep her settled, make the courts take you seriously.”
She’s still staring at me like she’s waiting for the part where I break into laughter and admit this is all a joke.
“But why would you do this for me?” she asks, her voice quiet and cautious.
I exhale, scrubbing a hand down my face. “Are we back to this again? Iwantto help you, Sav. Why won’t you let me?”
She swallows hard, her eyes narrowing slightly, studying me, picking me apart piece by piece.
