Page 51 of Protecting Lainey (Broterhood Alliance #7)

The townhome was quiet. He’d finally convinced Lainey to go out with her friends—dinner at the new Brick & Barrel Gastropub. She protested for a bit until Luke told her he wanted alone time with Finn. Smart kid, that one.

Joy and Naomi had picked her up a little while ago, and now Finn stood in the kitchen holding a small velvet box in his hand. He turned it over once. Twice.

Taking a deep breath, he walked to the couch where Luke sat cross-legged on the floor, concentrating on the new Lego space shuttle Finn bought him the other day.

“Hey buddy,” Finn said, lowering himself onto the couch next to him.

“Dad, this is so cool. Want to help me build it?” Luke asked, clicking another piece into place on the shuttle’s undercarriage.

Finn nudged him gently. “I’d love to. But first, I need to ask you something important.”

Luke finally looked up. “Is it about the launch?”

“In a way.”

“Are we still going?” He frowned slightly.

“Yes, that’s not changing.” Finn took a deep breath and then opened the box in his hand. Inside was a platinum ring. The diamond in the center was surrounded by tiny starburst sapphires. Simple. Elegant. Just like Lainey.

“I want to ask your mom to marry me,” Finn said softly. “But only if you’re okay with it.”

Luke went still. For a long minute, he didn’t say a word, just stared at the ring. Finn’s heart dropped.

What if he wasn’t okay with it? What if this changed everything? What if…?

Then without warning, Luke lunged at Finn, almost knocking the box out of his hand. “For real? You’d be my dad for real?”

Finn caught him. “Yeah. I already feel that I am. But this would make it official.”

“Does Mom know?”

“Nope.” Finn hugged him tight, his heart pounding. “No. Can you keep it a secret? We’re gonna do it right. Cape Canaveral. Rocket launch and everything.”

“I promise not to say a word.” He zipped his lips tight. Then he grinned so big, his cheeks puffed up like a chipmunk’s. “Best. Day. Ever.”