“He’s happy I’m happy. And he loves Ivy.”
“She’s hard not to love.”
“Trust me.”
“Have you got the ring?” he asks.
I nod.
“Can I see it?”
“Whatever you do,” I say with narrowed eyes. “You don’t say a single word to her.”
Finn swipes his index finger and thumb over his lips before pretending to throw away the key. “They’re sealed.”
I leave the kitchen to go to the bedroom and find the little velvet box I tucked away into the back of my wardrobe. Too high for Ivy to reach when she decides to go on a cleaning spree.
When I return, I gently place the ring down on the table beside Finn’s empty plate. He stares at it for a long moment before opening it, as if it’s the most delicate thing in the world.
“Woah,” he says as he blinks down at the jewellery I spent months designing myself to make sure it’s perfect. “It’s beautiful.”
“You think?”
Finn nods eagerly. “Yeah, she’s going to love it.”
“I hope so.”
He glances up at me with a cheeky grin. “Are you nervous?”
I exhale a ragged breath. “A little.”
“Aw, JJ,” he teases. “Don’t think I’ve ever seen you nervous.”
As I open my mouth to speak, there is noise at the front door. The sound of keys jingling and the lock turning. I snatch the boxon the table so quickly, it’s gone in a flash and securely tucked into my trouser pocket.
Ivy steps into the flat a few moments later. Her blonde hair is thrown up into a messy bun with pieces falling around her pretty face. She blinks at us suspiciously.
Heat spreads over the back of my neck. That was a close call.
I’ve been planning this for months, and I don’t want anything to ruin it now.
“Hello to you guys, too.” She laughs softly before shutting the door behind her.
I quickly look at Finn and widen my eyes, and he shoots me a wink in response.
He better stay quiet, otherwise I’ll tape his mouth shut.
She hangs up her coat, and I walk towards her. “How was your day?”
“Busy,” she sighs. “But good. I think I’m almost finished with this project.”
“Yeah?” I grin. “Sounds great, princess. Are you hungry?”
Ivy hums softly. “Famished.”
I wrap my arm around her and kiss her forehead, enjoying the way she slides right into my side, her face pressed into my collarbone.
As Ivy greets Finn with a hug, I plate up her dinner as we all sit around the table. “So, the house,” Finn says as Ivy eats. “It’s real soon, huh?”
