His eyes widen, pure joy lighting them up. He wraps his arms around me tightly and lifts me off the ground, spinning me once before wincing at how bad his ribs are smarting.
I squeal and grab his shoulders before he crashes his mouth to mine, and I kiss him back with everything I have.
It’s messy.
Desperate.
But full of relief and want and promise.
Our tongues tangle as if we need to memorize each other all over again. When he finally lowers me back down, my legs feel weak and my body hums.
“You’ve made me so fucking happy,” he whispers.
“I was about to say the same thing,” I murmur.
He opens the ring box fully, and the diamond catches the candlelight. It’s a single round stone set in a twisted white gold band, one strand inset with tiny diamonds.
Simple.
Unique.
And goddamn perfect.
“I know it’s not massive,” he starts, tension creeping into his voice. “I know it’s not extravagant or very rock star.” He sighs. “I don’t have much money, and if you want something better I can—”
“Stop,” I cut in firmly. “Kaden, it’sexactlywhat I want. It could have been a daisy chain for all I care. It’s perfect. I love it.I love you.”
He exhales, visibly relaxing while his fingers tremble slightly as he slides the ring onto my finger.
It fits perfectly.
And when he kisses me again, softer this time, slower, it feels like sealing something sacred.
“We’re going to make it,” I whisper against his lips.
“Damn right we are.”
After a moment, I pull back, still grinning like an idiot. “So… I’ve been thinking about buying another house for a while. And now we’re getting married, I want to make a second home in the States for when I’m not on tour. I want to be with you and your family. I’d like to talk to a land agent and see if we can buy a house in Ligonier.”
His eyes widen before he says, “You really want that?”
“Yes,” I say without hesitation. “I love it there. It feels right.”
“Well, if you’re buying in the States, then I guess I am, too,” Alana calls out, and I grin. “Are there many homes for sale in Ligonier?”
Mercs chuckles. “More than you’d think,” he suggests, looking past me to Alana. “But there is land, and you can build if you want.” Everyone tilts their head like they’re thinking hard.
“Well, if my two best friends are buying, then count me in,” Kristy calls out.
“If half the band is having a second home in America, then I guess we should, too. Right, Andi?” Casey asks, and Andi looks from Casey to Tank and back to Casey.
“I guess I have a couple of reasons to set up another home in America,” Andi offers.
Tank tries to hide his smile.
“Do I get a say in this at all?” Luke blurts out as he walks into the room, and we all look over at him. His normally stern face seems a little shaken.
“If we want to move our band forward, Luke, the best place to do that is in the States. Yeah?” I ask, and he cracks his neck to the side.
