Chapter One
Taryn
“That was fun.” I tried to regulate my breathing. Being winded would just be tacky.
My girlfriend and I had just climbed the Grouse Grind, up the mountain in North Vancouver. Grouse Mountain, to be specific. Two and a half kilometers. One and a half miles. Two thousand eight hundred and thirty steps.
Akin to insanity
Because that walk was up a freaking mountain.
Now, as a tow truck driver, I was fit. And strong. Even if I didn’t haul around gear all day, I also chose to work out because I wanted to be in prime condition. Less likely to injure myself at work.
More likely to attract a particular woman.
Stephanie placed a hand on my lower back. “That was amazing. And your first time.”
I let out a long exhalation as I tried to regulate my breathing.
“Oh God, Taryn, look at the sky.”
I pivoted to the west to catch the beginnings of a truly amazing sunset. I snagged Steph’s wrist. “Come on. We need to see the view.”
Theviewwas of Vancouver, the lower mainland, and Mount Baker, the dormant volcano in Washington State. Her majestic snow-covered peaks would be beautiful in stark contrast to the approaching darkness.
We made it to the best lookout spot just as the sky exploded with purples, pinks, reds, and a soft mauve that matched the eyeshadow Steph favored. I’d have thought she’d prefer something to match her azure eyes, but she chose a subtle shade of purple.
And I’d never used the word azure in my life until I’d met her and those stunning eyes that had drawn me in from the first moment.
I held her hand tightly.
“It’s such a beautiful night.” She gazed into my eyes. “It’s like I planned it or something.”
I cocked my head. I’d been the one to suggest the Grind. Stephanie had come once a year since turning sixteen. Usually with her brother Cooper to celebrate her birthday. Coop, dear soul, had been devastated he couldn’t make his favorite sister’s birthday. A work thing.
Or so he’d told Stephanie.
I dropped to one knee, wincing when I hit the ground harder than I’d anticipated.
“Oh, hon.” Stephanie crouched, taking my face in her hands. “I knew we pushed too hard at the end. I shouldn’t have been so set on matching my record.”
Her slowest record. She’d done that for me—she hadn’t pushed to match her fastest time. Set last year. With the very fit Cooper by her side.
“I’m fine.” At least I wasn’t wheezing. “You’re supposed to be standing.”
“Why?” She blinked her gorgeous eyes. “Oh.”
She often came off as the horrifically stereotyped blonde. She wasn’t that at all. She was one of the smartest women I knew. Which, given the intelligence of my business partners, said something.
“Well, you’re supposed to be standing as well.”
I blinked.
She fished in her pocket until she withdrew a little box.
I blinked again. “No. This is supposed to be me proposing to you.” I yanked the ring box out. “See?”
She offered me a brilliant smile. Her megawatt smile. “Great minds.” She released my hand to open the box. “It’s platinum—in case you want to wear it to work. But if you don’t—given your job and—”
