His lips quirk out. “Oh, I’m sure you will.”
“And you seem happy about that.”
He shrugs a shoulder. “You’re cute when you’re mad.”
I nearly growl in aggravation. “Unbelievable. You have completely crossed a line.”
“You have no idea.” His cocky smirk doesn’t fade.
So frustrating.
Ford slows down his rowing until we’re floating. I look around to see we are far enough away from the dock that it would be a bit of a swim back.
“Why are we stopping?” I hear the caution in my voice.
“We’re enjoying the view.” His eyes don’t leave me. “Want a water or something? I packed some drinks in the box over there.”
I look over my shoulder and then do a double take when I see a little cooler. Shit, he really planned this.
“How considerate of you to trap me in this situation and provide beverages,” I say, sarcastic. ButI ama little parched, so I might as well enjoy a drink. I lean back and twist my body to reach for a water bottle from the cooler.
“No, considerate would be ensuring you can’t escape so you can mull over something.”
Turning around to face him, I drop the water bottle instantly as my body freezes.
Because Ford is leaning back against the bow, legs stretched out into the middle of the boat and one arm resting behind his head as he is lying in a relaxed pose, except that a small open velvet box is on display in his hand, with a ring sparkling in the sunlight.
“What is that?” I grind out.
“Your engagement ring, Elle.”
Oh no.
This is not happening.
He is seriously doing it.
He’s on a mission to break our promise.
4
FORD
10 YEARS AGO
The rain is drowning out the sound of Brielle’s sobs as we sit in my car in a parking lot. Not being able to hear her sniffles doesn’t offer any relief, though. Just looking at her and my heart breaks, and I already thought it shattered forty minutes ago when I picked her up.
My hand finds her soaked cheek, and I cradle her face, bringing her gaze to meet my eyes.
“I can’t,” she whispers again. “I can’t do it.”
I established that the moment I saw her this morning when she got in my car, and when I drove, I didn’t push it, but I needed to hear her say it.
Now she has.
I nod once in understanding. “Then we don’t. I promised you that the choice is yours.”
“But…”
