chocolate stash is in the vegetable drawer.”
“Thanking you!” shouts Carrie back.
I start to run, excited about the idea of telling Nolan the good news. I let it build, this feeling of elation, but it doesn’t dissipate. It grows the whole way there, blooming and filling out into a future I can almost taste, touch.
It’s right.
I know it.
So, so very right it hurts.
*
I enter the ice hockey arena. There are people everywhere, the rink filled with the sound of sticks slapping against the ice and someone dialing out insults at the top of their lungs.
I pick the nearest player, a bulky guy trying to chat up the blonde at the front desk that I only vaguely remember.
He looks irritated when I approach. “Nolan King?” I ask.
He points right. “Gym. Right down the end, but don’t let Coach catch you.”
I maneuver my way down there with as much stealth as I can muster, a few bemused looks from players passing me by.
I enter the gym.
It’s an impressive set-up they’ve got here at The Turtle, the best of the best equipment. You’d be lucky not to get tetanus using the stuff over at the basketball arena.
Nolan is doing pull-ups at the back. He doesn’t see me enter.
I creep up slowly and snake my arms around him.
He lowers himself slowly. “If that’s you, Phoenix, you’re going for a swim when I get home.”
I let my hands fall lower, squeeze the bulge in his sweats. “I didn’t take your brothers for the affectionate type.”
Nolan drops and spins around to face me, his own hands filled with my ass. “I must say, it’s a far nicer surprise to find you here than one of those idiots.”
He looks over my shoulder to the other one or two guys lifting weights up front. “Can you give us five?” he shouts.
They reply with some smartass comment about Nolan benching me, then leave through the front door.
Nolan waits until we’re alone before speaking. “Why the visit? You didn’t come here alone, did you?”
He sees the look on my face.
“Shit. Baby, I told you—”
I cut him off. “I’ve thought about your question.”
I press a hand into the center of his chest, the thud-thud-thud of his heart reassuring.
Nolan backs up, sits himself on the end of the nearby bench and takes my hands, drawing me to him so I’m standing between his legs. “Thought I should sit down for this.”
I’m doing my best not to let my excitement show, but I know my composure is slipping. I can’t help it. I’m just that happy.
“So?” he presses. “What’s your answer?”
“It starts with ‘Y’ and ends in ‘S’.”
“What do yacks have to do with this?”
I roll my eyes. “I’m saying, you idiot, let’s get married. Let’s do this thing and grow old together.”
He smiles wide and proud, a fresh sparkle in his eye that wasn’t there a few seconds ago. “You’ll still want me when I’m old and gray, when my balls are somewhere around my feet?”
I lower myself so I’m sitting right on the edge of the bench, the two of us twined together. “Droopy balls and all, but until then…” I kiss him and it’s sweet and perfect and nothing sexual, but it’s all the confirmation I need that this is the right decision.
Nolan’s practically glowing when he breaks apart. He presses his tongue into his cheek to stave off another smile. “We should elope tonight, do a Titus.”
“Married by the King in Vegas? No, I want a real wedding. After all, I only plan on doing this once.”
He reaches for my hair. “So do I.”
“How about a compromise?”
“What did you have in mind?”
“One week, to put it all together. I don’t want to wait and I don’t think you do either. We’ve got resources between us. We could do it.”
Nolan seems receptive to the idea. “That we do. You’re sure about this?”
I twist my lips together and let my eyebrows jump. “Sure as I’ve ever been about anything. As MJ himself said, ‘Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.’ So, I’m telling you, soon to be husband of mine, let’s do this. Let’s make it happen.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
NOLAN
We meet with Alissa at the chocolate café on Main Street the following morning.
It was my idea to bring her on board. To be honest, I haven’t had much to do with her until now, thinking her status in the King family was purely ornamental, or was it one of my brothers who said that? I can’t