With a snort, Dan said, “One you feel obligated to with a boss you barely tolerate.”
The man had a point. The only reason he’d stayed as long as he had was for his team. Garrett would be pissed as hell. Then again…with Garrett’s military background, there was a chance he could talk his partner into applying with Phoenix, too.
“Would be a hell of a jump in pay.” Dan gave him a smile. “Not to mention the benefits and perks that come with working for Phoenix.”
Alex looked over at Eden. As if she could feel his gaze, she turned and smiled back at him. This was definitely not a decision he could make on his own.
Sensing his hesitation, Mike spoke up again. “Not gonna lie, Alex. The hours aren’t always perfect. But I can honestly say you’ll be home more nights than you’re not.” He slid a glance in Eden’s direction. “Should take away some of those concerns you mentioned.”
Eden began walking toward them. In a flowered sundress and sandals, the woman was a vision beneath the warm Texas sun.
When she got to his side, she leaned up and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “What has you looking so serious?”
Enveloped in the scent of vanilla and strawberries, Alex opened his mouth to answer her, but Dan beat him to it.
“We’re trying to talk your boyfriend into working for us.”
“Really?” Her eyes lit up.
Her excitement surprised him. “You think I should?”
Eden tucked some of her dark hair behind one ear. With confusion in those gorgeous eyes of hers, she crossed her arms and looked up at him.
“You don’t?”
“We’ll give you two a minute to talk,” Dan offered. Both he and Mike headed over to where their wives were sitting.
“So.” Eden smiled up at him. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”
Alex wanted to laugh. With one touch, she could probably read his thoughts and feelings better than he could, but she didn’t. She wanted to give him time to think it through on his own.
Just one more reason I love her.
“I think it’s a great opportunity,” he said truthfully.
“But?”
Okay, so maybe she didn’t need to touch him to pick up on his feelings.
Alex grinned. “But it would mean moving to Maryland.”
Squinting against the bright sun, she asked, “And this is a problem because?”
Was she saying what he thought she was saying? “You’d move to the East Coast with me?”
She answered his question with one of her own. “Do youwantme to move there with you?”
“Only if you’d be happy.” Alex rested his hands on her narrow hips. “Look, Eden…I know we haven’t really had a lot of time to discuss the future, but I’m in this for the long haul. I love you, and I want to build a life with you.”
“In Maryland?”
He bent down and pressed his lips to hers. “As long as I have you by my side, I don’t care where we live.”
“I feel the same way,” she whispered back.
“Marry me.” Shit. He hadn’t meant to just blurt it out like that.
Eden’s eyes grew as big as saucers. “What?”
