“Stuff Lucy found in Sam’s cubicle after she left. I’m gonna give it to Bri to give back to her.”
I furrowed my brow, turning the bracelet over in my hand, the blue bead catching the light. “Max, this is mine.”
“Are you sure?” he asked, his voice low and controlled.
“Yeah. I’ve had this forever. Remember? I told you it was gone awhile back.”
He tilted his head to the side, his jaw pulsing. “How would she have gotten it?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Maybe you took it off at Mom’s and she thought it was Bri’s or something?
I let out a breath, trying to shake the bad feeling I had. “Maybe. Ihope.” I forced a swallow. “I know this was in my jewelry box. I know the last time I wore it.”
He came around the counter and rubbed my shoulders. “I’ll ask Bri about it. Let’s hope to God you both had one and this one is hers.” He circled his fingers, working the knots out of my neck. “Really, that has to be it. You lost it while you still lived there, so how could she have gotten it otherwise?”
“I have no idea.” The only way that would’ve been possible was beyond creepy and I didn’t want to go there.
Max is probably right—it’s probably Bri’s. Mine is probably somewhere else.
“I was thinking today,” I said, trying to change the subject before my brain ran too far with possibilities. Between the sunglasses, the red lipstick, and now the bracelet, I felt sick.
“Really? That’s good to know,” he joked, smacking my butt as he walked away.
“Funny. I was going to say something I thought you’d like to hear, but I’ll just keep it to myself...” I opened the oven door and with a silicone mitt, I grabbed the pan and pulled the garlic bread out. I put it on top of the counter.
As soon as I released the pan, Max’s hands were on my waist, causing me to jump. I hadn’t heard him come up behind me. His breath was hot against my ear. “What were you gonna say, sweetheart?”
I shrugged like it was no big deal and he growled, causing goose bumps to spread across my skin like wildfire.
“I listened to your mix tape today,” I said softly, enjoying the feeling of his hands digging into my hips. The nips and licks against my neck were making me lose track of my thoughts.
“Did ya like it?”
“Yeah,” I practically moaned, bending my head to the side to afford him more access.
“What were your favorites?” he said, licking myneck and then blowing across my skin. The juxtaposition of hot and cold causing me to nearly combust.
“I Just Want Youby Cole Swindell.Your Body Is A Wonderlandby John Mayer—that was nice,” I giggled as he laid kisses around my neck and to my jawline. “It made me think.”
“About what?”
“About marrying you.”
His mouth stopped, his fingers digging in deeper on my hips. He stilled for a moment before saying, “You aren’t getting out of it.”
I giggled and he flipped me around to face him. His face was stern, his eyes narrow, his jaw tensing.
“I’m not laughing,” he warned, but it only made me giggle harder. “Kar...”
“Relax,” I said, swatting at his chest, getting myself under control. “I was thinking that maybe we could just go get married. At the Justice of the Peace. I even called today and we just go down there and get our license and get it done.”
Slowly, like he didn’t believe what he was hearing, a smile crept its way across his gorgeous face. “Are ya serious?”
I nodded tentatively. “Why wait? I don’t want a big wedding and I have no desire to plan one, although Isa called again today and has a color scheme picked out!” I laughed. “I just wanna be Mrs. Maxwell Quinn.”
“Say that again,” he demanded, his eyes burning.
