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Noah rolls his eyes. “Dude, if you’re moving here in six weeks and want her to come along, you have to help her make up her mind fast. The relationship might be new, but you two seem pretty serious.”

Like their wives are doing to Nia, they’re prying. It’s embarrassing. On the other hand, they’ve all gotten married in the last year. And they all had to hustle like hell to get their wives to say “I do.” It’s possible they know something about women and relationships I don’t.

“It is. I’ve asked her to marry me. I don’t have any idea if she’ll say yes. She’s cautious and hard to read…and I’m used to Becca, who went along with whatever I thought was best. Nia is totally different.”

“Does she love you?” Griff asks, his voice low and serious.

“I don’t know, and it’s not relevant. I’m not looking for romance, just a wife.”

The three of them exchange a longer glance. Clearly, they think I’m insane. Whatever.

“And she knows how you feel about that?” Maxon prods me.

“Totally. I was honest. I’d never want to be anything less with her.”

Maxon and Griff just groan.

“Well…” Noah scratches at his five o’clock shadow. “That’s one way of doing it.”

I frown. “What other way is there?”

The trio look at one another again before Noah speaks up. “The underhanded, not-going-to-take-no-for-an-answer way. Want pointers?”

“No. I want her to see the value of the arrangement and enter into it with her eyes wide open. I don’t want to deceive or lie to her.”

“That’s not what we mean.”

“Think of it as you giving her what she wants…so you can get what you want,” Maxon clarifies.

“I don’t understand.”

“Put a positive spin on things,” Griff adds. “Persuade her. Show her how good it can be using whatever you’ve got in your arsenal. Help her see you and your relationship from a different perspective.”

Noah nods. “If you do this right, you’re guaranteed to walk away with a wife.”

I hesitate. When they put it like that, I can’t do any worse with their advice than I’ve been doing on my own. Because the truth is, if I can’t say or do the right things in the next six weeks, Nia will walk away. And how much will I kick myself for not trying harder? They’ve obviously mastered this romance shit I’m so clueless about.

“All right. I’ll try. Tell me everything.”

Chapter Nine

Wednesday, November 22

* * *

Two days later, Nia seems really comfortable with my family. I’ve studied the copious notes I took on everything my brothers and my sister’s husband suggested. They’re smart and they’re slick. If they’re right, the way I’ve gone about persuading Nia to marry me is all wrong.

So today, she’s going to see a whole new Evan.

“Where are you taking me?” she asks from the passenger’s seat of the black Mercedes convertible I borrowed from Noah.

I’ve never seen the point of a vehicle like this—until now. It’s deeply impractical…but damn fun to drive. The weather in Hawaii is good enough to justify having such a car, so I might buy one, especially since Nia squealed in delight when I told her we’d be riding in this sweet two-seater today.

“Why would I tell you when it’s supposed to be a surprise? It’s my turn to plan the date, remember?”

Beside me, she huffs. Her little pout makes me laugh. As the wind whips around us and I head toward the north side of the island, I soothe her by taking her hand and brushing my thumb across her soft skin.

Since we’re finally alone for the day, it’s time to put my plan in motion. The advice I got rolls through my head.