Page 115 of Play Fake

“Why?”

“See the view again. We can catch the sunrise if we hurry.”

“I’m going to need more caffeine if I’m going to approach anything close to hurry.” She reaches for the coffee she’d grabbed on the way out the hotel this morning and takes a sip.

“Yeah, well bring it with you. Let’s go darlin’.” I open the door and round the front of the Jeep.

She follows, more slowly, hesitantly as she’s not quite sure what I’m up to. And she has every right to be suspicious because while I’m happy to see the sunrise, it’s not the main reason I’m here.

“Don’t worry. I checked for murderers on the way up. We’re safe.”

“They could be hiding in the trees. You don’t know,” she answers playfully, giving me a small smile.

“I think we’re good.” I wink at her.

She walks up next to me and leans her head against my shoulder as we stare out at the city. It’s slowly waking up, coming to life as all the folks hit the road to head to their jobs or grab their morning coffee. The streetlamps are just starting to dim, and the sun is just breaking the horizon. The hum of life around us is dulled by the early morning humidity, with the first sounds of birds waking nearby.

“It’s still really beautiful up here.” She whispers.

“You’re still really beautiful up here.” I kiss the top of her head.

“Waylon…” she chides the compliment but smiles anyway. “I love you.”

“I hope so,” I say as I turn and go down on one knee.

Her eyes go wide as she looks at me, her tired brain putting together the reason we’re up here and what’s happening piece by piece. Her fingers go to her lips.

“Because I’m hoping you’re willing to stick it out with me for the long haul.” I pull the little ring box out from my pocket and open it up to show her.

“Waylon…” she whispers, and I see tears forming in her eyes.

“Don’t cry. It’s not that bad. It just means you’d always have someone to argue with.” I try to tease her.

“Well you should have led with that.” She smiles back at me and takes the ring from out the box. “Waylon, this is way too much. And are you sure? You just started your first season and…”

I stand up and kiss her, threading my fingers through her hair at the nape of her neck and she opens for me, letting me run my tongue over hers. The taste of her sweet little mouth melding with the caramel coffee she’s been drinking. One I hope I’m getting every morning for the rest of my life.

“Put it on, see if it fits, yeah?” I look down at her. The truth is I would have asked her a long time ago. Probably the day we graduated college if not before then, but I hadn’t wanted to scare her. So I’d told myself I’d give it a full year before I asked, even though the ring had been bought months ago. One of the first things I’d purchased with my signing bonus.

She slides it on her finger and stares down at it. It fits her perfectly.

“If you don’t like it, we’ll get you a different one. You can pick out whatever you want.”

“No. I love it. It’s perfect.”

“Does that mean you’re saying yes?”

“Of course, I’m saying yes. Do I look stupid? Waylon Prescott asks you to marry him, you fucking say yes and hope he doesn’t change his mind before the wedding date.” She smirks up at me.

“I’d marry you today if we could find the time to squeeze it in.”

She laughs. “Let’s not overshadow your big return to Highland or the grand reveal of Ben’s mystery woman.”

“Tomorrow then?” I look at her hopefully.

“Do you want your mother to kill us? You know she’s going to want to plan some big fancy Texas wedding and invite everyone.”

“Fine. But you know I’m never changing my mind.”

“Me either,” she stands on her tip toes and kisses me softly.

“I’m gonna love arguing with you for the rest of my life.” I grin at her.

“Glad we agree on that much.” She leans her head on my shoulder, and I wrap my arm around her.

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