Page 78 of Structure of Love

“But it is?”

“I mean, I thought of it more as a wedding gift…?”

“So you do intend on marrying him.” Asher’s suspicion flipped into a delighted smile. “Oh good. I like him. I want to keep him as a friend.”

“Again, we haven’t dated long enough for me to really make that call, but…” I couldn’t help but turn wistful. “You think I can propose at the six-month mark?”

“I don’t see why not. Just make it a long engagement if he wants to give you two more time.”

“That’s a great idea.”

“Hey! It’s rude to sound so surprised! I do come up with good ideas sometimes.”

“Eh, debatable.”

Asher glared at me. Mischief entered his expression. Uh-oh, I should not have pushed his buttons; he was going to do something I’d regret.

He turned on his heel and scampered out, calling out as he ran. “Anyone want to see Gage’s proposal blueprints?”

Oh fuck. He did not!

I chased after him, and despite the fact my legs were longer, I had a hard time catching him. Asher could move like lightning when he was of the mind to.

Of course everyone happened to be in the office. Even Cohen, who was on-site most of the time. Various heads popped out of their offices, and before I could catch Asher, Riggs held a hand up.

“I would love to see this. Gage, you’re proposing already?”

“I am not!” I was going to murder my best friend. I’d have to be careful about this. Zar was a cop, after all, and not about to let his boyfriend’s murderer run free. “That’s just, y’know, doodling—”

Asher steamrolled me. “He’s basically got this down to the point of submission. Isn’t it a cool house? Logan’s going to love it.”

Cohen joined them and blocked my attempt to snatch my tablet back. Bastard. He leaned over Asher’s shoulder to look. “Oooh, really nice house.”

“Will you three stop already?” I bemoaned, even as I tried again to get around Cohen. “I’m not proposing anytime soon!”

“Give it a few more months,” Cohen agreed without even looking up. “Too soon to spring a proposal on the man. But he’ll love this, Gage. This is an amazing house.”

I gave up. They’d seen it all already anyway. “I’ve got clients due in any second, can we tease me later?”

Riggs at least was willing to give the tablet back. “Right, the couple with the new build.”

“Exactly. I’ll take my tablet, thank you. Riggs, we’re going to meet them in the conference room.”

I made a very dignified escape back to my office.

Riggs called after me, “If you don’t know his ring size, I can find out for you!”

I shot him the bird, which got them all laughing. Seriously, why were my friends like this? Brats, all of them.

Although, shit, I didn’t know his ring size.

I refused to let Riggs find out, though. On a cold day in hell would I give that man more openings. Surely I could figure this out myself. Somehow.

Thirty seconds later, my tablet was securely password protected—I didn’t trust Asher or Riggs one bit—and I had my portfolio and laptop with me. I made it to the conference room and was barely in my seat when my clients walked in, escorted by Riggs.

Mr. and Mrs. Johnson came strolling in. A couple on the verge of retirement, they were building their forever home, asmost were wont to do at their age. Mr. Johnson came in with a cane in hand, clearly using it for support.

“Hello,” I said, hand outstretched. “I’m Gage.”