“Hmm,” I said, tapping my chin.“Think the funeral home would offer a discount if I aim him over that way?”
“I don’t see why not.They’d save time by not having to pick up a body.”
“You make a good point.Looks like that would be my most budget-friendly option.”
“Since when does Greg get a say in my death threats and last wishes?”
“Since I’ve been your roommate for six months and haven’t killed you myself.That alone gives me special dispensation to partake in any and all death threats.”
As if on cue, Kai strolled in, his arms stacked with pizza boxes from Tony’s.
“Are we discussing Liam’s untimely demise?Because as another of his soon-to-be former roommates, I vote we shove his own socks down his throat until he chokes.The guy strips them off whenever his feet get too warm and just leaves them lying around.Kitchen.Couch.Backyard.It’s nothing but stray socks as far as the eye can see.”
“Tempting,” I admitted.“But it’s too close to one of my earlier threats.You know I like to keep things fresh.”
Kai’s face was a mask of seriousness.“That’s fair.Gotta keep him on his toes.”
Liam grumbled in protest, but his arms stayed locked around me.He may put on a show, but everyone knew he loved my ridiculous death threats.
“Hi, Auntie,” Carter said, racing toward me, his light-up sneakers flashing with every step.“Can I play a game on your phone?”
I chuckled, tugging my phone from my pocket and pulling up his game.After a quick nod of assent from Andie, I handed it to the eager boy bouncing on his toes beside me.
“Sure thing, buddy.But you have to stop as soon as your mom says it’s time.”
“Okay,” he yelled before bolting for the couch at full speed, gripping my phone in both hands.
“I suppose that’s enough eye candy,” Nana said, reluctantly tearing her gaze from the firefighter show.“I’m famished.I need a proper meal.What kind of pizza do you got there, kid?”She shuffled toward the kitchen counter, nose leading the way.“Is that pineapple I smell?We Canadians sure knew what we were doing when we invented Hawaiian pizza.”
Leaving Nana and the guys to their pizza, I tugged Liam to the other side of the room.Settling my cheek against his chest, I inhaled his scent and wrapped my arms around him tighter.
What on earth made me think I’d be able to walk away from all this?
If these last six months had taught me anything, it’s that Carlisle Creek was my home, and this bunch of weirdos I’d surrounded myself with were my family.Better still, they were a family I could rely on.
“You okay?”Liam asked, resting his cheek on my head.“That was a heavy sigh.”
I snuggled closer.“I’m good.Just thinking about how close I came to leaving all this behind.”
His body stiffened.“You’re not still—”
“No, definitely not.”I laughed, shaking my head.“No need to plan another intervention.I was thinking about how thankful I am that I stayed.”
Tension melted from his shoulders.“You know, I’ve been thinking the very same thing.”
“Have you really?”
His hands slid up to cup my cheeks.“I sure have,” he whispered before dropping a soft kiss on my lips.“Every damn day, I think about that.And when I think about it, I thank my lucky stars that you stayed.”
“Is that so?”
“It is.It’s had me thinking about something else, too.”He leaned back, his hand slipping into his pocket.“I wasn’t planning on doing this today, but … I feel like I’ve been waiting forever already.”
He extended his hand, a simple gold band set with a small but exquisite cushion-cut diamond pinched between his thumb and forefinger.
My heart stopped.
“This was my mother’s, and before that, it was Nana’s.”His voice remained steady, but the barest hint of nerves flickered in his eyes.“I’m hoping it’ll be yours next.”
