“Somebody made sure I didn’t notice.” It hadn’t occurred to Riley that Liam had been trying to distract her on purpose.
He just winked at her, unrepentant, before turning back to the list.
“Shoes?”
“Tennies, two pair of sandals, and some really excellent heels. Check.”
“Chargers for various devices.”
“Check.”
“Engagement ring.”
Riley’s head snapped toward Liam—
“No, that was for you to pack.”
—then back to Autumn—
“Oh right.”
—and back to Liam.
He reached into his pocket. Pulled out a box. “Check.”
Riley couldn’t breathe.
Liam started to slip the box back into his pocket, then shook his head. “On second thought, you should probably hang on to this, for a year or sixty. Gotta give the Tollesons a run for their money.” He flipped it open, took out the diamond solitaire inside.
“Liam,” she croaked.
“Not done yet. You’re one of the strongest, most independent, most stubborn women I’ve ever had the privilege to know. I know you’re not looking for somebody to come rescue you or expecting the fairy tale ending, and somewhere in there you stopped believing in those things. But I want to give them to you, on whatever terms you want. And if that means you want your own sword and horse, by damn, we’ll make it happen. You told me months ago that I should build my own place, and you were absolutely right. But you can’t build something without a good, solid foundation. You’re mine. So—” He sank down to one knee “— how ’bout it, Riley Marie. Are you up for an adventure?”
Any minute now, her knees were going to buckle and she was just going to keel over in shock.
Autumn elbowed her. “Breathe.”
Riley sucked in a breath. Her head was spinning like a top and her heart was about to pound right out of her chest. She reached out to frame his face. “The answer’s been yes since I was fifteen.”
Liam grinned. “And here I thought I was moving fast.” He slid the ring on her finger and pulled her in for a long, slow kiss, while the room erupted in cheers and applause.
The band launched into a snappy rendition of “Here Comes The Bride” and the party really got started as Riley and Liam were pulled away for a long string of hugs, kisses, and congratulations from everyone present. It made her delirious and dizzy, until her fiancé —her fiancé!—pried her away from Babette Wofford, who already had ideas about the dress. “Okay, now seriously, we have a plane to catch.”
“Just let me get my purse.”
“Autumn will bring it.”
“I can carry my own purse.”
“This last part works better if you don’t.”
“What last part?” She burst into delighted laughter as he lifted her into his arms. “An Officer and a Gentleman?”
“You did make a request.”
Riley plucked the hat off his head and perched it on her own. “Think you can kiss me and walk out the door without running into it?”
“I’m a Marine. I can do anything.”