“Absolutely. I’ve already discussed it with my fiancé. If I play for New York we won’t be more than two or three days apart for away games and I’ll be here for home games. It works out.”
“I guess that depends on what you mean by working out. I think we’re not on the same page there. I don’t understand how you can give up so much money.”
“I’m not giving up anything that means something to me. What you don’t get, Brett, is that I can’t afford to lose her. But maybe you’ll be lucky enough to get it one day.”
“Jesus, man. I hope not. That sounds insane.”
I laugh. “Is there anything else you wanted to talk about? Sage and I have our engagement party tomorrow and I need to pick up the flowers.”
“No, that’s it. I’ll see you later, and don’t breathe another word to Caleb. Let me handle him. I think I might get some added perks for you, and me.”
“Knock yourself out.”
Caleb already offered to loan me his plane whenever I need it, but I don’t tell Brett. I’ll let him think he negotiated that on his own.
*
The next day I wake up early and make breakfast. It’s my favorite thing to do for Sage because she loves breakfast and moans over a plate of pancakes like no one I’ve ever known.
Afterwards, we drive to Sunset Ridge and look at some of the homes on the street. There is only one for sale at the moment, but it’s perfect from the outside.
“It’s only three doors down from Charlotte and Caleb’s place. Are you sure we can afford this?”
“Absolutely. We just need to renovate the place a bit to make it our own, but otherwise, I think it works.”
“I don’t know,” says Sage. “I kind of like the antique doors and scratched up wooden floors. It feels like a place that’s been loved. I think it just needs a paint job.”
“That’s fine with me.”
I put an offer in with the realtor, and she says she’ll let us know as soon as possible.
When we’re back in the car, Sage sighs. “I only have an hour to get ready for our party. I hope that’s enough time.”
I kiss the back of her hand as I take the road back to Sage’s bungalow. “You already look beautiful.”
She rolls her eyes but gives me a quick kiss before checking the time again.
Less than an hour later, she’s walking out of her bedroom wearing a knitted white dress that hugs every curve of her body. “Holy shit, you look incredible.”
She spins the way women do when they look over their shoulder, and the view is more than I can handle. I cross the floor, intending to go back into the bedroom and take that dress off, but she stops me with just one finger. “Don’t even think about it.”
“Too late.” I pull her into my arms.
“I’m serious. We can’t be late to our own engagement party.”
“Why not? Who’s going to really get upset?”
“Your mother. She gave me a specific time. Do you think she’ll like this dress? I made sure it wasn’t see-through.”
“I love the dress, and my mother won’t care if we’re late.”
“Oh, yes, she will!”
“Fine. But as soon as we come home…”
She smiles and rises to her toes. She runs the tip of her tongue along my bottom lip. “Definitely,” she whispers and I groan loudly. “Baby, we better go before I change my mind.”
Sage grabs her purse and lip gloss on the way out.
