Page 29 of Blue Line

“Spinach? Onions?” he asks, holding both items up. I nod. “Cheese and ham?”

“Yes, please. What are your plans today?”

“Work out at the arena and then maybe skate for a little while. Depends on who’s there. Hunt said he was going to try to get there this morning, depending on how Mads is feeling. I’ve got a few errands to run.” He starts chopping the vegetables. “What about you?”

“Probably go to the grocery store. Unpack more. Maybe I’ll call Madison and see if she’s up for a visit.”

“Oh, before I forget.” He sets the knife down on the cutting board, wipes his hands on the kitchen towel, and walks out of the room.

“Um, oh-kay,” I mutter to myself.

He comes sauntering in a minute later with a jewelry box in his hand.

“Weston Albert, what did you do?”

He snorts. “Not my middle name. And relax, it’s nothing. First, this is for you to use.” He holds out a black Amex credit card.

“I can’t take that.”

“Hadley Jane, you are my fiancée for all intents and purposes. My fiancée would have my credit card. Don’t worry, I added you as an approved user thingy, whatever it’s called, earlier this morning.” He shakes the card at me.

“I can’t. It’s too much.”

“Take. It.” He thrusts it at me again, and I finally accept it. “And you better use it.”

“Or what? Are you going to punish me? Spank me?”

His eyes widen for a brief second before he clears his throat. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

I roll my eyes.

“This is for you too. If it doesn’t fit, we can get it sized.” He opens the jewelry box. In it is the most gorgeous ring I have ever seen in my life, a sapphire surrounded by small diamonds, set in a simple yet intricate band. “I know it’s not a diamond.” He shifts on his feet. “It was my mom’s. If you want a diamond, we can get one.”

I peel my attention away from the ring that I would have picked for myself to meet his gaze. “I can’t wear that.” I peer down at it. His mom’s ring? No. Nope. I can’t wear it. That makes it seem too real. “Just get me a fake one.”

“Hadley, please.”

“What happens if I damage it? Or lose it? Then you won’t have it for the actual woman you want to marry. I couldn’t do that to you or her.”

“But I want you to wear it. It’s insured. At least try it on.”

I stare at it for a few seconds, chewing on my bottom lip. Part of me really wants to because it’s gorgeous, and it would be fun to at least try it on. It probably won’t fit, and then I can suggest we pick out a cheap one.

“Fine,” I concede.

He takes the ring out of the box, and I hold my hand out to him.

“This isn’t how I expected to get engaged,” I say, trying to lighten the mood.

“I can get down on one knee if you want me to.” He starts to lower himself to the floor.

“As much as I’d love to see you on your knees for me, it’s fine.” Except now I’m picturing him kneeling in front of me, that devilish grin on his face as he tells me he’s going to ruin me for all other men before he …

“Have it your way, tornado.”

Still not sure how I feel about the nickname. I don’t hate it.

He slides the ring onto my finger, and it fits, like it was made for me. He gives my hand a quick squeeze before releasing it.