The Proposal - Kitty Thomas Page 0,18

the owner of this little tourist trap on the water.”

“Okay. I mean... if you think you can get us in, it sounds like fun.”

He walks up to the outdoor podium where people are showing their pre-bought tickets. Griffin speaks low, so I don't hear him, but I barely catch the words from the man behind the podium. “Of course, Mr. Macdonald, we'd love to accommodate you and your lovely date.”

So I guess it is a date. But I think I already knew that.

The boat serves us Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, green beans, and dinner rolls along with the best iced tea I've had in a while. It's comfort food—something I definitely needed after my big pity party in the park. After dinner we go up to the top deck where a live band plays swing music. Some of the tourists are already up dancing. Griffin drags me out on to the dance floor. He's a surprisingly good dancer, but I'm terrible.

Still, he's good at leading and keeps me from looking too stupid. Then the music switches to a slow song, and he pulls me in closer to him. I rest my head on his shoulder thinking that for such a shitty start, this day has ended up pretty amazing.

Toward the end of the cruise we're served dessert out on the top deck under the stars: chocolate silk pie and coffee. The boat docks further up the river, closer to where we first started walking. I'm relieved we won't have to walk an hour back to the park we met in. Griffin walks me to my car in a comfortable silence, his fingers threading through mine.

I'm not sure at what point we started holding hands, but it feels natural, not forced. He feels natural—and fun. When we reach my car, he asks for my number. I give it to him, and he kisses me on the cheek and whispers, “I'll call you this week.”

I don't know it yet, but this has been the first of many dates with the smooth and charming Griffin Macdonald. And while in the coming week, one man will find himself booted off my roster, it won't be Soren.

Dayne

The Mark

Seven months ago. Last November.

I've been following Livia at a distance for the past two weeks, trying to find the right moment to make my move. From the intel I've gathered—including reports from Soren's private investigator—our suspicions are right. She's dating three men: Griffin, Soren, and a guy named Jack.

I've met Jack once. He's kind of a douchebag and definitely not at the same level of success as Griffin, Soren, and myself. My job is to get on her roster and get Jack out. It's tricky business because we all run the risk that she might decide to take me on but drop Griffin or Soren. We've got backup plans for that, but you never know. Then there's the even bigger risk that she'll reject me outright, and there may not be a bounce back from that. Any further attempts after a hard rejection just make me look like a dangerous stalker.

Soren is counting on the gold digger aspect—that she'll go for whoever has the deepest pockets. But I have my doubts about this. It's no question that she's looking to marry up, but does that make her a gold digger? I'm not so sure. She's not asking anyone to buy her a bunch of things or pay any of her bills. She's maintained a certain independence and desire to take care of her own living expenses. Though I'm sure men have bought and paid for things anyway. I know Griffin and Soren have spent money.

And marriage is the big cash out, so she may just be patient enough to wait it out. She is remaining chaste with all these men after all, even when it seems clear she wants to go further. So she's not a prude. I will definitely be pushing and testing this button myself at the first available opportunity. Few people in the modern world have this level of self-control, which makes her oddly unpredictable.

I admit, I'm intrigued. When Griffin and Soren first laid out the plan, I wasn't sure I was on board. But just watching her laugh and engage with the world in the sweet uncomplicated way she does these past couple of weeks, and I'm seriously considering it. There's something refreshing about this girl—something untainted and pure, even though I'm sure she isn't a virgin.

And she's beautiful. She has clear light