The Proposal - Kitty Thomas Page 0,19

blue eyes like a pristine lake in the mountains and this beachy sun-streaked hair that goes halfway down her back in soft waves I want to slide my fingers through.

Livia doesn't play these cheap silly games of the average gold digger. And she doesn't act entitled. She isn't looking for dumbasses with deep pockets. She wants a smart man that she can respect. It's a dance. It's a game. And I've got the money to burn. I'll play if she will. Plus Soren and Griffin will kick my ass if I leave them and their grand plan in the lurch.

I'm still not sure I'm prepared to jump into a forever thing with them and this girl. That's why I need to interview her.

Livia is shopping at a high-end boutique today. She has several nice dresses ready for purchase along with a bottle of perfume which I happen to know is Soren's favorite fragrance on a woman. I wonder if she's cataloging all of these preferences for each man she dates. I wonder if she has a list somewhere to keep it all straight or if she truly cares enough to remember.

The sales clerk is ringing up her purchase when I make my move. I have a navy silk tie in my hand from the men's section. I just grabbed the first thing I saw so I could get in line behind her.

I drop my tie on top of her things and pass my black card to the clerk.

“Please, allow me,” I say. I'm not sure how I hope she'll react. A rejection of my offer could just mean she wants me to insist, like women who try to go for the check at dinner but really want you to stop them. Or maybe she'll say no flat out. Or maybe she'll say yes with greedy little dollar signs behind her eyes. A foolish part of me hopes she won't do the latter.

She turns to me and smiles. It's a genuine, electrifying and open smile that lights up the entire space. And God help me, but she's already got me. For a moment it's easy to forget she's the mark in a game she doesn't even know she's playing.

“Thank you, that's very kind of you.” She steps gracefully aside so I can sign the receipt.

Huh. She knows I can afford it. I did just flash my black card, and this girl is savvy. She knows about black cards. But even though I've been watching her, I didn't expect this reaction. She seems completely unfazed by this gesture but at the same time appreciative of it. She's not ashamed. Not indignant. It's as though I merely opened a door for her. She isn't shocked by this kind of treatment. She's not impressed or overly charmed. But... she's not entitled either. She's not a brat.

I can't put words to how this simple exchange makes me feel.

I sign and wait as the clerk puts our things in two separate bags. Livia looks a bit overburdened by bags already. She's been shopping in the other stores nearby as well. This gives me my next opportunity.

“Let me help you out with your bags,” I offer.

She takes a good long look at me. I'm not sure if she's assessing my danger or my dating potential.

In case it's the former I say, “It's broad daylight. I promise I'm not a serial killer.”

She smiles and hands over her bags while picking up my small bag containing the tie. “Okay. I'll carry yours if you carry mine. And I know you're not a serial killer. They don't give out black cards to serial killers.”

I laugh. She's probably right about that. I like this girl. It's been a long time since I've really liked a woman. Not just been attracted. Not just wanted to sleep with, but genuinely liked. And suddenly I'm a teenager worried I'll mess up and the pretty girl at school will turn me down. I'm not sure what to do with this sudden burst of whatever thing it is she's making me feel. It's so foreign, so long forgotten, and suddenly I have zero doubts about this.

There's no guilt. No hesitation. I want this girl. I want this image, this idea, this plan that Soren and Griffin laid out for me. I want us. The four of us. She has no idea the precarious line she walks. I'm determined not to fuck this up.

Even though I'm carrying all the bags, I open the door and let her