Page 110 of Biker Orc Baby Daddy

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"Five minutes."

She narrows her eyes. "You're being weird."

"Probably."

"Fine. But if this is Colum's idea?—"

"It's not."

We bundle Orry into his coat. Step onto the plaza. It's late November, early evening. The fountain's off for winter but the lights are still strung overhead. White bulbs against dark sky.

A few people mill around. The coffee shop's still open. Mrs. Lee's locking up her herb store.

Cecie shivers. I pull her closer.

"Okay," she says. "We're outside. Now what?"

I should've planned this. Written notes. Made a list. But the moment's here and the only thing in my head istruth.

"I love you," I say.

She blinks. "I. I know. I love you too."

"I mean Iloveyou. In the way that's. Permanent. The kind that doesn't fit in a spreadsheet."

Her mouth twitches. "You tried to spreadsheet it, didn't you."

"Twice."

"Gunther—"

"Let me finish." I take her hands. Cold fingers. Familiar. "I know I'm not Ridge. I'm not the guy you thought you had that night. I'm awkward and I overthink and I'll probably alphabetize Orry's bookshelf when he's not looking."

"You already do that."

"Exactly. I'm. Predictable. Boring, maybe. But I'mhere. And I want to keep being here. For you. For Orry. For whatever comes next."

She's staring at me. Eyes bright.

I pull Clarence from my pocket. Pop the battery compartment. The ring falls into my palm.

"I made this," I say. "It's not fancy. The solder's uneven and I burned my thumb twice. But it's got sparkle in it. Because you do."

"Gunther—"

"Marry me."

Silence. She looks at the ring. At me. At Orry, who's squirming in her arms trying to grab the shiny object. Then she laughs.Not cruel. Not dismissive.Joyful.

"You made a ring."

"I watched seventeen tutorials."

"You burned your thumb."

"Both thumbs, actually."

"You hid it in Clarence."

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