The air left my lungs. “Tate, are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
Her arms looped around my neck, and she pressed closer. “Maybe this could be an engagement party after all.”
The grin spread across my face as I reached into my pocket, wrapping my fingers around Gran’s ring—the one I’d been carrying around for just in case. “You sure about that?”
She nodded, eyes bright.
“In that case.” I stepped back, dropping to one knee and holding up the diamond that had been waiting for this moment. “Tate Cavanaugh, will you marry me? For real this time?”
“Yes.” The word burst from her before I finished asking. She yanked me up, and I barely got the ring on her finger before her mouth was on mine.
Tate melted against me, her fingers threading through my hair as our kiss deepened. The familiar citrus scent of her shampoo filled my senses, and I backed her against the door, pressing close. Her soft moan vibrated against my lips. The ring caught the light as her hand slid down my chest, and the sight of it there—exactly where it belonged—sent heat racing through my veins.
“We should probably get back to the party,” she murmured against my mouth, even as she pulled me closer.
I nipped at her lower lip. “Probably.”
Her leg hooked around mine. “Your mom’s going to come looking for us.”
“Don’t care.” I tipped my hips against hers and trailed kisses down her neck, loving the way her breath hitched.
“Kellan.” My name came out somewhere between a laugh and a groan. “We are not having sex in your childhood bedroom with forty people outside.”
I lifted my head, taking in her flushed cheeks and kiss-swollen lips. “You’re right. When I get you naked, I want to take my time.”
Her pupils dilated. “Home?”
“Soon as we can make our excuses.” I pressed one more quick kiss to her lips before stepping back to readjust my jeans. “But first we should probably tell everyone the engagement is real this time.”
Tate’s smile lit up her whole face as she straightened her clothes. “Real. I like the sound of that.”
“Me too.” I caught her hand, thumb brushing over the ring. “Ready?”
She squeezed my fingers. “With you? Always. I love you.”
I’d never get tired of hearing that. “I love you, too.”
We emerged from the house hand in hand, Tate’s engagement ring right out there for the world to see. The party continued in full swing, our friends and family scattered across the yard, enjoying Mom’s cooking and each other’s company.
Tate squeezed my fingers and murmured, “Should we just tell everyone?”
“Hey!” I called out, raising our joined hands. The chatter died down as heads turned our way. “We’ve got an announcement to make.”
Mom’s eyes zeroed in on the ring, and her hands flew to her mouth.
“So,” Tate’s voice rang clear and strong, no hint of the uncertainty that had plagued her all week. “We’re engaged. For real this time.”
The yard erupted in cheers and whoops. Clint let out a wolf whistle from his spot on the porch swing.
Mom rushed forward, wrapping us both in a tearful hug. “I knew it! I just knew you two would figure it out.”
Dad clapped me on the shoulder. “About time, son.”
Our friends crowded around, offering congratulations. Austen, Felicity, and Pepper pulled Tate into a group hug, all four of them laughing. Gabe and Rhett flanked me, both grinning.
“Guess that garden proposal worked after all,” Gabe said with a knowing smile.
“Sometimes the best plans are the ones that go a little sideways first,” I replied, watching as Tate showed off her ring to the girls.
