idea of Ziggy and me being serious. There were certainly no weird scenes or vibes at any of the Stage Dive etcetera get-togethers. Life was good. Very good.
“Hello there. Is that a gun in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?” I asked when he ground something suspiciously hard against my hip. Hard and vaguely box like in shape so sadly not his magnificent dick.
The man instantly stilled. “You weren’t supposed to notice that.”
“Oh?”
“Let’s pretend you didn’t notice it.” Something in his gaze seemed almost…damn, I wasn’t sure what the emotion was. Which made me even more curious.
“I don’t think so. Hand it over.”
“Sweetness…”
“Gimme.” I slipped my hand into his pants pocket, drawing out the small blue box. As always when he was coming home from a job, he wore a gun in a holster beneath his arm. But I’d gotten used to that. This Tiffany box, however, was something quite new. “You bought me jewelry? It’s not my birthday for months yet.”
“I know. This isn’t for your birthday.”
I popped the lid on the box, eyes going wide as twin moons at the sight of the diamond solitaire ring sitting within. “Holy shit.”
“Agreed,” he muttered. “Meant to hide it in the car. But I was rushing to get back to you and forgot. I had plans for how this was going to go down.”
“Ziggy, that’s a really big ring. Like seriously huge.”
“Had Lena use the Ferris name to get us a table at the fancy new restaurant in town you’ve been wanting to try, but has been booked out for months.”
“It’s so shiny.” I took it out of the box, sliding it onto my ring finger. “See how shiny and pretty it is?”
“There was going to be roses and music. It was all going to be very romantic. You’re getting chocolate frosting on the ring.” He laughed quietly against my ear. “But I’m glad you like it.”
“Hold up,” I said, turning on him. “Did you actually just give me an engagement ring without telling me you love me first? Because I’ll have you know, that’s not the correct order these things are done in. My mother would be appalled at your lack of decorum.”
“To be fair, you stole the ring straight out of my pocket. Like I keep saying, I had plans…” He winced. “But also, you mother loves me. I’ll have you know, I already asked for her blessing and she happily gave it.”
“You called my mom and asked for her permission?”
“I did.”
“That’s so nice.” I grinned. “You’re a nice man, Ziggy Thayer.”
He tried giving me his hard-ass blank face expression, but it didn’t work. “To be honest, I was a little worried you’d think it was too soon. But I don’t know, it just felt right to me. You feel right to me, my mighty benevolent goddess.”
“It’s not too soon,” I said, eyes getting misty. “Though you still haven’t said that you love me. Like, ever.”
The twin slashes of his dark brows drew together. “Haven’t I?”
“No. Not once.” I lightly poked him in the shoulder. “I’ve told you, Ziggy, but you have yet to say it back.”
“I could have sworn I had.”
“Nope. To be honest, it’s been bugging me more than a little. But I decided to give it another week before I kicked your ass over it.”
“You’ve been cranky about that and you still made my favorite chocolate cake for me anyway?”
“What can I say? I’m a sucker for you.”
“The feeling’s entirely mutual.”
The ties on my apron loosened, the chocolate-smudged material falling to the ground at our feet. His hands cupped my face, mine sitting on his broad shoulders. “Here’s the thing…I love you, Mae, and I have no fucking clue what I did without you all those years. You’re my home, my whole damn world. You give me peace and happiness and I promise to always love and respect you and treat you like the queen that you are. I’m telling you now, you can trust me. Always.”
“You’re going to make me cry.”
“Don’t cry, sweetness,” he murmured. “I’m not finished yet. Now I know you’re already wearing the ring, but I’ll ask anyway so there’s no confusion. Will you marry me?”
“Yes, Ziggy. As a matter of fact, I will.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome.” I sniffed. “That was quite poetic, you know? Very romantic.”
“Glad you approve. Enough talking now.” Then he smiled and kissed me. A soul deep, world falling away, perfection in and of itself kind of kiss that could never be forgotten. My toes curled and my heart happy-sighed. And we did no more talking for a good long while.
* * * *
Also from Kylie Scott and 1001 Dark Nights, discover Strong.