Playing the Game (Providence University #6) - Ali Parker Page 0,88

realize we’d missed so much. I’d missed so much with the coma as well.

Seth rolled over on his back. “As long as it’s not a guy, I’m good with that. Unless you want some dude with no dick and a permanent limp.” He palmed his fist.

I giggled. “It’s Abi. I asked her if she wanted to move in. She’s kicked out of her dorm anyway.” I had a few second thoughts about her, but it wasn’t like I could change my mind.

“I remember now. Clara was talking about that. You should just let her have it.” He rested his hand on my hip. “You could live here with me.”

The suggestion shocked me, but he couldn’t be serious. “Oh? Are we just going to shack up together? You make it sound like it that’s simple.”

“Why can’t it be?” He rose up and reached into the drawer. “I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of things being complicated. I know what I want. I want you and me to be together. We can even get a better place if you want.” He sat up beside me, and when I looked down, I noticed he had a little black box in his hand. “How about it?”

“What’s that?” I asked, feeling my heart thump. Was this a proposal? As much as I loved him, I wasn’t sure this was a good time. Or the right way to do it. I’d always pictured something much more romantic, but then, it was Seth, and none of that really mattered as long as he wanted me.

“I bought this the night we had the wreck. I thought I’d give it to you at the end of the night. I wanted to show you that there’s never going to be another girl for me.”

“You want to marry me?” I didn’t know if I was getting it right or not. What else could it mean? I suddenly felt as if we were going warp speed. It wasn’t a bad thing.

He chuckled. “Yeah, you say it like it’s so hard to imagine. But this is just a promise ring, so no pressure.”

“Oh, well, an engagement would be fine too,” I said. “Regardless, I’m never going to want anyone else either.”

“Good. So, you’ll wear it?” He opened the box and took it out.

The ring inside was simple but pretty, and there were two diamonds nestled together in the setting. “Yes, of course. It’s beautiful.” I offered him my finger, and he slipped it on. It was a perfect fit, but I didn’t bother asking him how he knew it would be.

“Thanks. I thought so too. I didn’t think you’d want anything too flashy, but it’s still feminine.”

“You know me. That’s for sure.”

“Well yes, and that’s what the saleslady told me.” His cheeks turned a darker shade. “So, you will really marry me someday?”

He had to be crazy to think I wouldn’t. “Yeah, probably sooner than you’d want if you asked me.”

“I will ask you. I promise.” He pulled me in close, making love to my mouth as our bodies melted together.

He pulled away, and before I could speak, he took my hand. “I want you to move in,” he said. “Let Abi take your apartment and be with me.”

“Really? Like right away?”

“Yeah, your parents let Clara move in with Dillon, and she’s not much older, and I’m his age. They got to know me some while you were in your coma.”

“Why didn’t I know that?” I said, laughing at the mental image.

“Because we’ve wasted all this time fighting. I’m surprised Clara didn’t tell you. I beat your mom at cards.”

“You beat Mom at cards? No one ever beats Mom.”

“No one ever beat me but Bryan. It’s the only thing I’m ever lucky at. And it didn’t matter the game. We played Canasta, Gin, and Spades. She even tried to beat me at Go Fish. No luck at all.”

I was sad I missed it. They would all share memories I’d never have, and for that, I was a bit jealous. “I hate that I slept through that. Seems like you fit in better with them than I do.”

“Yeah, well, I thought it was best to keep everyone busy. The first few days, it was so quiet and uncertain.” His eyes closed, and he got a pained look on his face. “I really thought I was going to lose you too. They came in and said that you were getting stronger and doing better. Everyone was so happy, but I was still not