“There’s no way you’re going without me,” I say. “I’m going.”
“Lyla.”
I narrow my eyes. He doesn’t seem to understand that I may be the only person who can protect him. I’m not sure how, but I know if I’m not there, one of two things will happen: he’ll kill Jameson or Jameson will kill him. There’s no freaking way he’s going without me.
“I have to pick up my things from my dad’s house anyway,” I say.
“I’ll get them for you.” His eyes flash. “You’re not going.”
I stare at him. “If you go without me, I’ll get out of the contract. I’ll file for divorce, if I have to, in order to void it. I’m not joking.”
“Jesus Christ, woman.” His eyes widen and he pulls me flush against his chest. “We haven’t even gotten married.”
“I promise, this is the only time I’ll ever threaten you with that. I can’t let you go alone, Lach. Please.”
He groans deeply. “I just want to take care of you, damn it.”
“Well, this is me taking care of you.” I kiss his collarbone. “I love you too much to lose you.”
He growls deeply and kisses me. We stay in bed for another hour, celebrating our engagement.
CHAPTER48
LYLA
We agreedto meet at Duke Tech so I could see the place and go to lunch with his parents afterward. In the meantime, I text Marissa and Prescott a picture of the ring. I get Prescott’s generic message: out of town on business, spotty reception, leave a message, or call the office. Marissa video calls me right away.
“WHAT?” she screams, eyes wide on me. “WHAT? WHAT? WHAT? OH MY GOD.”
I laugh. “Obviously, I said yes.”
“Fuck. Obviously,” she breathes. “Let me see it again. Holy shit, Lyles. He really did good.”
“I know.” I smile wide as I stare at the ring on my finger.
“How did he propose? Did he propose? I’ll kill him if he didn’t.”
“He got down on one knee and proposed.” I sigh contentedly. “It was beautiful.”
She grins wide and lets out a little shriek. “When’s the wedding? I bet Lach wanted it to be five minutes after he proposed.”
I laugh. “I told him we need to wait a week.”
“To get everything in order?” she asks. “Will you do it at a venue, or just the courthouse?”
“I’m going to try to look for a small venue,” I say. She smiles. “I know a week is short notice, but I only need you and Prescott there.”
“Well, obviously,” she scoffs at me, and looks up to smile at whomever she’s handing a smoothie to. “I’m the maid of honor.”
“Obviously.” I laugh.
“Does that mean you’re no longer going to Fairview?” she asks, eyes serious as she searches my face.
I sigh. “I have to, Mar.”
“I wish you wouldn’t,” she whispers.
“We can’t keep living like this,” I signal between the two of us, because she’s been as affected by this as I have.
