The Takeover (The Miles High Club 2)

“You should have had one made.” Fletcher sighs with a roll of his eyes.

“I didn’t have time.”

The boys and I are looking for an engagement ring for Claire. We’re finally going to be a family.

“When do you need it for?”

“Well, we leave in three weeks for Aspen, and my plan is to ask her on Christmas Eve,” I reply as we walk. “I’ve got everything arranged. Now we just need the ring.” Nerves flutter in my stomach. Finally.

My wife.

I’ve never wanted anything so badly. “Let’s hope she says yes, eh?” I add.

“She better,” Harry snaps as we walk. He takes my hand in his. “She’s going to ruin the entire trip if she doesn’t.”

I chuckle. “Agreed. Two weeks’ skiing in Aspen is going to be very uncomfortable if she says no.”

I smile as I picture our first New Year’s Eve together as a family, and I don’t know if I’ve ever been this excited about a vacation before.

“Of course she’s going to say yes,” Fletcher scoffs. “As if she won’t.”

“I bet she cries.” Harry smiles dreamily, as if imagining her face. “She always cries when good things happen.”

“Remember, not a word to anyone about this.” I widen my eyes at Patrick to remind him specifically.

If anyone is going to blab to Claire, it’s him, but I didn’t want to leave them out of this.

“I know,” he says in disgust. “It’s a big secret.”

“You’ll ruin Christmas if you tell,” Fletcher adds.

“I won’t,” Patrick snaps. “Stop saying I’ll tell, because I won’t.”

We keep walking and walking and walking. “Where is it, Fletch?” I ask.

He checks the directions on his phone. “Just around this corner.”

We walk around the corner, and there it is.

NEW YORK DIAMOND TRADERS

“This is it.”

We all stand still and stare at the sign.

“This makes me nervous,” I whisper.

“Me too,” replies Fletcher. “What if we get one she hates?”

“We won’t.” With renewed determination, I lead the boys into the jewelry store, and we look around.

“Can I help you, sir?” the man behind the counter asks.

“Yes,” Fletcher interrupts. “We’re looking for an engagement ring.”

I smile, proud that he now speaks so confidently to strangers.

“For my mom,” Patrick adds.