“Go get in the damn shower,” Tuck says as he tugs on the apron string around my waist. “I’ve got food covered. You’ve got bigger things to worry about tonight than a shitty casserole.”
“Hey,” I scoff, calling up my flour-coated apron and tossing it at him. “My casseroles are fucking delicious.”
Tuck rolls his eyes but can’t hide the flicker of a smile. “Right. Sure. Go get a shower. Did you even use deodorant this morning?”
“Fuck you,” I huff.
“Love you too.”
As I stride past him, he grabs my shoulder to stop me. “Good luck tonight. And don’t worry. She’s perfect for you. She’ll say yes.”
I nod as Tuck drops his hand, his blue eyes shining with a look I haven’t seen in him before. He looks… proud.
“Aw, is my big brother getting soft on me now?” I tease.
Tuck drops the look and rolls his eyes, but he can’t fight his smile. He’d make a shitty poker player. “Go shower. You stink.”
I lift my arm up and, after one sniff, I bolt right upstairs. I scrub away every bit of soup and flour and bits of random egg and salt from my skin.
The warm water calms me down enough for my stomach to stop flipping like an otter. I dry off, apply some extra deodorant, and slip into a pair of jeans and one of the merch t-shirts Daphne’s made for her channel. “Better thana Book Boyfriend” shines across my chest in blood-red letters.
I have every shirt she’s designed for men. Even though she wants to keep her channel anonymous, I’m still going to be her biggest supporter. She’s done amazing this last year, and I know she’s only going to get better, be better, and finally show everyone what she’s capable of now that she doesn’t have to live in her parents’ shadows.
Her mother doesn’t know I’m proposing. Even with the family therapy they’ve attended this past year, I have a gut feeling she’d tell Daphne if she found out. No, Grace Fox doesn’t get to spoil this for Daphne.
Even if it means not asking her family for permission, I’m not giving that woman the opportunity to taint this for Daphne. The turkey was bad enough.
By the time I’m downstairs, Tessa’s answering the door and tipping the driver a few hundred dollars in cash as Tuck takes the bags of food from them.
We spread out the food onto proper porcelain plates like a real meal and take everything into the dining room. I salvaged the casserole, the mashed potatoes, and some steamed corn. The rest… Well, Gordon Ramsey would be calling me an idiot sandwich if he walked into my kitchen.
We pass around a bottle of wine Tessa brought over and pour a glass before Tessa raises hers in a toast with a cheery smile.
My cue.
“I never enjoyed Thanksgiving,” I start off. “Tuck was almost always working. Tessa, well, we didn’t get along for a while, but it’s mostly been the two of us. Last year, Daphne tried to visit Grace for dinner. That didn’t end well.”
Daphne winces at the memory.
“But I’m thankful we were all able to get together this year.” My heart hammers harder in my chest now as I stand. My clammy palms dig into the arms of the chair as I push it back fully. “Because this is the first year we get to celebrate as a family. It’s been a long time coming, and I wanted our family to be together for this.” I walk over to the buffet table and open one of the drawers, retrieving a book. The one I’d stolen from Daphne the night I kidnapped her. I’d told her I’d lost it and bought her a new copy, but I’d stashed it somewhere for safekeeping.
“I know you love love stories. They’re kind of your thing.”
Daphne nods from her chair, but she’s the only one looking confused.
“I’ve read a few myself. I’ve watched every one of your videos. And despite all of that, our love story will always be my favorite.” I hand her the book and mouth the words“Open it.”
She does. The book flops open, revealing a ring tied to a blue ribbon, the same ocean blue as her eyes. A gasp escapes Daphne as her glossy lips pop open in surprise. Tears well in her stunning eyes, and she’s so damn breathtaking right now, I can’t look away.
“Daphne Eleanor Fox,” I say as I drop to my knee, my heart thumping so hard it aches. My legs shake as I rest on one knee. “I am so madly in love with you that every day feels like a dream. You have turned my world upside down, and I never want to go back to reality. I want you by my side for the rest of my life. Daphne, will you marry me?”
My throat tightens on the question, and the silence drags on for what feels like an eternity before she finally nods.
“Yes,” she squeaks out as the first tears beginto fall.
I stand on trembling legs as Daphne pushes her chair back, flinging herself into my arms. And I’ve got her. I’ll always have her for as long as she wants me.
I am so far gone for this woman, there’s no turning back. And I’d never want to. Daphne Fox is my entire world.
