All or nothing (Love in chaos #1) - Missy Johnson Page 0,67
Ebony agrees, peering over Mom’s shoulder. “If she says no, can I have it?”
“No,” I reply curtly. “And why would you even joke about that?”
“Chillax, bro.” Ebony snaps up an apple from the fruit bowl and strolls out of the kitchen. “I’m sure she’ll marry you,” she calls over her shoulder.
Mom gets to her feet, throwing her arms around me in a tight hug.
“Mom,” I groan, gently prying her off me. “Calm down.”
“I know, I’m overreacting, I’m just so happy for you.”
I swallow, my own throat tight with emotion. I’m pretty damn happy myself.
It’s been two years since the cruise, and things in all aspects of my life have been going great. Liv is like my good luck charm. Business is booming, no one ever knew about the bet, meaning my stocks are healthier than they've ever been. But as great as those things are, these days, I'm much more focused on what's important to me – Liv.
Being with her feels natural and easy, in a way nothing else has ever come close to. She spends every night at my place as it is, so marriage feels like the next logical step. I give Mom a peck on the cheek and snap the ring box closed, putting it safely in my pocket.
“Wish me luck.”
“You don’t need it,” Mom smiles. “That girl is smitten with you.”
I hope she’s right.
“I’ll see you at the party.”
Back home, I put the ring box on the bedside table while I get ready for what is going to be one of the most important dates of my life. Technically, it’s not a date—it’s a surprise birthday party for Liv. At least it’s supposed to be; too bad she knows all about it. Trying to keep anything from Liv is next to impossible, so I shouldn’t have been surprised when she figured out what her mom was planning. She’s promised to play along with it, though—if only so her mom doesn’t kill me.
I pull on my shirt and button it down, my hands shaking in a way they never have before. I want tonight to be perfect. Liv might think she knows all that’s happening, but I’ve made sure there’s a few surprises she won’t be expecting. Not only proposing but also flying her father over from Australia to be here for it.
When I told him that I was planning to propose to Liv, he was ecstatic. Even Pam teared up—in a good way, which says a lot about how far our relationship has come. She can see how much I love Liv and how much Liv loves me, which is all she's ever wanted.
Slipping on my coat, I open the box and take one last look at the ring before I take it from the box and slide it safely into my pocket. There’s no backing out now. Not that any part of me wants to.
When I reach Tara’s place to pick up Liv, I get out of the car and walk up the path. The front door of the building opens, and Liv walks out. I swallow, because she looks stunning in a black dress, with a slit running dangerously high up her thigh, her golden hair falling in waves around her shoulders, just like I love.
“You look beautiful,” I murmur when she reaches me.
I lean over and kiss her, my lips tingle against her touch. It’s like I can't get enough of her. Even now, standing on the sidewalk, my hands wander to the hem of her dress, to the teasing, bare expanse of skin of her exposed thigh. I cough, but my throat isn’t the only thing that’s tightening. She laughs and pushes my hand away, but I’m determined.
God, she calls to me like no one else.
“Down boy,” she replies, her eyes twinkling.
“We could just skip the party, you know," I tease as my mouth finds her neck. She smells so sweet I just want to devour her. “Go off on our own, somewhere quiet and private…”
She giggles. “And miss my surprise party? Mom would love that. She’s only just started warming to you, remember?” She chastises, only half-kidding. “We don't need to give her any more ammunition.”
“So wise,” I sigh.
“Come on,” she sighs, taking hold of my hand and leading me over to my car. “It's my job to stop you making stupid mistakes; we need to go to the party. But don't worry.” She stops and leans over, pressing her lips against mine in a slow, lingering kiss. “I'll more than