She laughed. “Yes, you do.”
“Are you saying I stink?”
“You smell a little horsey.”
“I was in the barn all morning.” He grinned without any real shame about it. He sat up and reached for her hand. “Come on.”
“Give me a minute. I did most of the work.”
Cole laughed from deep in his chest. “And I appreciated every second of it. I’ll be in the bathroom.” He winked and disappeared through the doorway.
She lay still for a moment, then pushed herself up, opened the nightstand drawer, and tucked a condom into her palm. Just in case.
Hours later they were on the sofa, a movie going on the TV that neither of them was really watching. His fingers moved idly through her hair.
“Will you move in with me?”
She sat up. “You want me to move in?”
“I do. You’re going to marry me.”
Her eyebrow went up. “Are you asking me or telling me? Because I don’t recall an actual proposal.”
He shifted against the cushions. “I mentioned marriage.”
“You mentioned it. That’s not a proposal.”
He ran a hand through his hair and looked around the room like it might offer some help. “I don’t have a ring yet. I’ll do it properly when I do.”
“You’ll wait?”
“Sure.” He shrugged. “If I’m going to ask you properly I want a ring that’s yours alone.” He paused. “Which reminds me, I still have the one I bought for Callie—”
“Do not even think about it.”
Cole laughed. “I wouldn’t. I’ll take it back to the jeweler. I won’t get full value, but I just want it out of the house.”
“Good. I want it gone too.”
He scooped her onto his lap and kissed her, slow and unhurried, then pulled back and looked at her. “Do you want to come with me and choose your own, or do you want me to pick it out?”
“I want you to pick it out.”
“Yeah?”
“Yes. Please.”
“Alright. I’ll go tomorrow.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “What time is your interview?”
“Eight. I told Connie this morning.” She smiled. “She was so happy I’m staying. She also told me you were in love with me. I didn’t quite believe her.”
“She’s a smart woman.” He squeezed her hand. “Let me know how it goes.”
“I will.” She kissed him once. “After the movie, canwe go to the diner? I’m starving.”
“We worked up an appetite.”
“Stop.”
