While Paul jokes about being upset that his beloved Kansas City Royals didn’t make it to the series this year, I go searching for Banks. Only Jet is in their shared room, splayed out on the hanging cat bed.
I ruffle her soft ears. “Where’s your brother?”
Jet’s meow is unfortunately unhelpful, so I continue down the hall to Kenzie’s room. My pulse upticks when I don’t findBanks—even after making kissing sounds and softly calling his name. He likes to make himself comfortable on her pillow when she’s not at home, so I thought he’d be in here.
I know that sometimes proposals don’t go to plan. I’ve heard horror stories of proposing on a dock only to drop the ring in the ocean, or hiding it in the bride-to-be’s favorite cheesecake while she unknowingly swallows it whole. Not being able to attach this ring to Banks’s blue bowtie collar and have him be a part of asking Kenzie to be my forever wouldn’t be the world’s worst travesty, but I have my heart set on it.
As stealthily as I can, I move toward my side of the house. Maybe he’s in the gym? Banks usually steers clear of that room, but maybe his routines are off with Loretta and Buck occupying one of the remaining guest rooms in the house. The largest one, I converted to a billiards room for Kenzie and me to enjoy. I kept the other rooms untouched, because if all my plans fall into place, I’ll be remodeling those into kids’ rooms sometime in the future.
As a last resort, I check my room. My heart expands past the confines of my ribcage when I find Banks snuggled atop my pillow, his paws beneath this chin.
“Hey, buddy.” I sit on the bed and run a hand over his soft fur. “I need your help for something really important. Do you think you can help me ask your favorite person to be a permanent part of our family?”
My lips hitch up when Banks purrs loudly.
I unclip his collar, slide the yellow-gold, oval-cut, five-carat diamond engagement ring beside the bowtie, and reclip it before gathering him to my chest.
“Thank you so much for bringing her to me,” I whisper into his fur as we head back down the hall.
Kenzie is saying exuberant goodbyes as we enter the living room. Outside, the Virginia weather is trying its very best to ruin everything, but inside glows warmer than the summer sun. Kenzie’s parents smile at her as she goes down a tangent instead of hanging up, Jet jumps after a cat wand Buck is haphazardly flicking around, and Banks purrs against my chest as we watch the wholesome tableau.
A happy sigh leaves my mouth.
When my girlfriend glances at me, she remembers she was supposed to be saying goodbye.
“Thank you so much for your time, Mr. Rudd.”
“Please. Call me Paul.”
After they hang up, Kenzie squeals and then jumps in place for four solid seconds.
“I take it that was a good gift?” I can’t help the smirk hitting my lips.
“The best!” Kenzie runs over to kiss me.
I keep the kiss chaste because her parents are watching, and my heart is trying to scale my windpipe. Now that the moment is here, I’m more nervous than my first at-bat in the majors. My hands shake as I extend Banks toward Kenzie. She takes himwith a happy nuzzle before I draw in one last steadying breath and fall to one knee.
“I’ve got one more thing to give you.”
Kenzie’s free hand flies to her mouth as her eyes glisten.
“Actually, Banks is holding it for me.”
She gasps when her eyes catch on the diamond sparkling on Banks’s collar.
“Baseball taught me how to be patient, how to fight through the hard days, but Kenzie—” I swallow when my voice breaks. “Loving you has been the easiest thing I’ve ever done. I can’t imagine my life without you right there beside me in fuzzy socks.”
A tear slides down her cheek as she laughs.
“It would be my absolute honor to love you forever, to be your husband.” I reach up and take her free hand with both of mine. “Kenzie Rogers, will you marry me?”
“Yes,” she breathes. “Yes! Yes!”
Thenmy fiancéeis kissing me with Banks sandwiched between us. He lets out a low growl of protest, and we laugh, tears on both our cheeks. It’s only then that I remember my future in-laws are videoing and photographing the whole thing. They make an absolute ruckus with the noisemakers from the birthday party. Banks twitches, but I catch him before he jolts away.
“I wanted Banks to be a part of our proposal because he’s what brought us together.” Holding him steady, I remove the ring and gently set him down.
My fingertips tremble as they slide the ring on her hand.
