"Want to bet on that?"
He nods. "A hundred dollars says it's officially over by the time your semester starts."
"You're on." As much as I can't believe Joel is married—seriously, what the fuck?—I know the drummer enough to know he doesn't go into anything unless he's intending on seeing it through.
Kit runs his fingers through my hair. "You still good with a walk?"
"Are we still walking someplace where we can have sex?"
He chuckles. "If you make one more blunt request."
I shake my head. "I've asked enough. It's your turn."
He plants a kiss on my lips. "I'm going to take you someplace where I can make you come, yes. But more coffee first."
"That's good too."
He smiles, but there's still something about his expression. It's not Joel's secret, though that is a whopper of a secret. It's an expression I almost never see on Kit.
He's nervous.
He's actually blushing.
It's the cutest thing I've ever seen. No, the hottest thing I've ever seen. No, it's both.
"You ready?" He slides his arm around my waist.
"I am." I follow him out the door.
It's a beautiful day for a walk, even if it is chilly this early in the morning. I stay close to Kit, letting the heat of his body warm mine.
According to the sign in the window, the coffee shop down the street is open. But we aren't moving towards it. We're stopping.
Kit slides his arms around my waist and pulls me onto a concrete bench. There's something familiar about it.
Oh.
It's the bench where we had that lunch, where he told me he was a mess and that I shouldn't waste my time sorting it out. He completely failed to convince me, but then I don't think anyone could ever convince me that Kit is anything less than sweet and loving.
I run my fingers through his hair then lean in close enough to kiss him. He tastes good, like Kit and like coffee, and his kiss makes me warm everywhere. Not just hot with desire but warm with affection.
He smiles when he pulls back. His eyes are still filled with nervous energy, even as they go to the bright blue sky.
I really like him nervous, especially when I know it has something to do with me, with us.
"This has been the best year of my life. And it's the first year I've spent completely sober in a long time." He places his palm on top of mine. "I never thought those things would go together. Maybe they don't." He brings his gaze back to me. "It's because of you, Piper. You're brighter than that sun. Hell, you are the sun in my life. You are the thing that warms me, that brightens my days, that makes it possible for life to bloom and grow."
I stare back into his eyes. There are still hints of nerves, but mostly his expression is full of earnest affection.
He takes my hand. "Since that day at the hospital, I haven't had a single doubt. I want to be with you forever."
Kit lowers himself onto the ground.
Onto one knee.
Holy shit.
He pulls something out of his pocket, the present with the raspberry wrapping paper. He hands it to me.