Spencer gives him a blank look. “He tricked her into coming here, letting her think Connor would be here.”
Hudson shoots his gaze to me. “Ooh, that’s… not good?” It sounds like he doubts what he should think.
In this moment, I think I regret telling Spencer my initial plan the other day. Coincidentally, we went ring shopping together. While I was initially there to help him pick a ring for his girlfriend April, I might have picked one out myself that he doesn’t know about.
“Ready for your big night?” I change the subject.
Spencer grins, ridiculously happy. “Completely. I got Hudson’s approval.”
Hudson throws an arm around Spencer. “He’s going to marry my niece. He had to go through the checklist.”
“She still needs to say yes,” Spencer reminds Hudson.
“I doubt a no is coming your way,” I assure Spencer. “Enjoy tonight.” He has a big proposal planned.
Spencer tips his sunglasses down his nose to assess me. “Is there something you’re not telling us?”
Hudson watches as he bounces the baby against his chest.
“It’s fine. I’m just…”
“Nervous your plan is going to fail?” Spencer finishes my sentence.
I tip my head side to side in contemplation. “Nah, we’ve been waiting for this.”
Just then Brielle storms out my back door, breaking all our attention, and she stomps in her fast stride all the way to me, her face slightly fuming.
“Give me the box,” she demands, holding out her palm.
I’ve never seen her so determined and buzzed with frustration, ridiculously sexy, and I also know not to deny her anything.
My hand fumbles into my pocket to pull out the box, and I quickly hand it to her. She grumbles and pivots so her back is to me.
She isn’t fazed by my neighbors and friends since she has met them before. She’s even worked for Hudson’s sister at her legal firm. “Hi, Spencer. Hi, Hudson. Oh, Gracie is getting so big,” she greets them before walking away like everything is dandy.
“Is that a yes?” I call out.
“I’m thinking,” she yells back and disappears into the house.
It causes me to smile softly to myself in accomplishment.
“What the fuck? Was that an engagement ring box?” Spencer tries to grasp what just happened.
I bring a hand to the back of my head. “Yeah,” I reply in a mesmerized tone.
“Uh, something you want to share?” Hudson asks.
“Nah, just upped the stakes a little. We’re seeing Margo tomorrow, and she kind of thinks we’re engaged.”
“Let me guess, because you told her that,” Spencer adds.
Hudson looks at me like I’m crazy. “What kind of neighbors do I live next to?”
“Don’t worry, it won’t be a fake engagement for long.” I can’t stop staring at my house where Brielle is inside probably pacing.
“Listen, as the older and wiser one of you two, let me offer some advice. It’s only as complicated as you make it. Do yourselves a favor… don’t make it complicated,” Hudson lectures.
I glance at him as I cross my arms over my chest. “It’s not complicated if we were always on a path back to one another.”
