His mouth curved against mine as he slid the ring onto my finger. “Think we could get married tomorrow?”
43
GRAE
Caden tuggedme away from the fridge and into his arms.
“Hey,” I protested. “I need to make us breakfast. I thought you werestarving.”
He grinned as he lifted my hand and pressed a kiss to my ring. “Just needed a good morning.”
I stared at the diamond catching the light and throwing a series of rainbows around the kitchen. The ring was absolutely breathtaking, and I loved that it had carried his grandparents through over sixty years of marriage.
I brushed my lips across Caden’s. “Pretty sure you already said good morning twice and then a third time in the shower.”
He chuckled. “Better do it a fourth time just to make sure—”
His phone rang, cutting him off. Caden cursed. “Cockblock.”
I laughed. “Might be a good thing. Wouldn’t want either of us to pull a muscle.”
Caden shook his head as he moved to answer his cell. “We’re going to have to start a training regimen.”
I choked on a laugh as he pressed the phone to his ear.
“Caden.”
There was a pause.
“Sure, she can come through. Just give her a map to my place.”
I glanced at Caden in question as he ended the call. “Who?”
“Aspen. She probably wants to check on you.”
Guilt pricked at me. “I should’ve texted and let her know I was all right.”
Caden brushed his lips across mine. “You’ve had a lot going on. I bet Maddie brought her up to speed.”
I nodded, letting myself melt into his hold. “Things are going to be crazy for a while.”
“They will. But we’ll handle it together.”
“I like the sound of that.”
The doorbell rang, and Caden released me. “I’ll get it.”
I busied myself with making coffee as if that would somehow normalize things. Muted voices sounded from the front of the house, and then I heard footsteps. A second later, Aspen appeared. Her skin was even paler than usual, and worry lined her face. “Grae…you’re okay?”
I hurried toward my friend and pulled her into a hug. “I’m totally fine.”
I met Caden’s eyes over her shoulder, and we shared a concerned look. I gave Aspen one more squeeze and then released her.
“It was my day to take Cady and Charlie to camp. Lawson told me what happened when I picked up Charlie. I just needed to see with my own eyes that you were okay.”
“I am. I promise.”
Aspen’s gaze zeroed in on my throat, and she blanched. “I’m so sorry, G.”
