“Judging by your shit-eating grin, you love it.”
She tried to rein in her grin—and failed.
Chapter Six
Josie
On Saturday, I was a basket case as I paced my apartment, waiting for Hunter to pick me up. We’d decided this was the best tactic. It would be natural for us to arrive together. Hunter had suggested we wait until after dinner to break the news, so we wouldn’t spend the entire meal answering questions. I countered by saying that I couldn’t hide the ring until dessert. He’d agreed with me in the end.
I startled when the doorbell rang and hurried to open the door. I twirled once, showing off the light green dress.
“What do you think? Worthy of an engagement announcement? Does it say ‘I’ve secretly been in love with Hunter my entire life’?”
I’d spun with so much enthusiasm that I got a little dizzy, swaying when I stopped. Hunter’s arm was on my waist the next second. Strong. Warm. Steady.
I laughed at myself as I looked up. “So? What do you think?”
“You’re sexy.”
My eyes widened. “It’s inappropriate?”
“No. It’s just perfect.”
I became aware of just how possessive that arm was on my waist. That his other hand was on my shoulder. The skin-on-skin contact singed me. I wiggled out, smoothing my dress.
“Let’s go. Can’t wait to show off my ring. I did some research. Apparently, scorned wives can turn engagement rings into something else. A pendant, or earrings. I’ll turn this into something beautiful after you’re going to break my heart.”
“Maybe you’ll break mine.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re the heartbreaker. I’m just me.”
“You’re fucking beautiful.”
“I already said yes. You don’t have to butter me up.”
He touched my chin, his thumb resting almost at the corner of my mouth.
“You are beautiful, Josie. If I haven’t said it before, it was only because I was afraid you’d think I was coming onto you.”
“And now you’re not afraid anymore?”
He smiled. “No, I’m not, fiancée. So you’d better get used to it.”
I felt slightly off-balance. Was he flirting? Was he joking? My heart was beating insanely fast as I looked straight at him, trying to gauge his true intentions. I ended up averting my gaze, afraid he’d be able to tell what I was thinking. It was difficult not to get wrapped up in his charm when he was so focused on me.
We took a cab to Amelia’s but got out a few blocks away, deciding to walk for a few minutes and make our game plan.
“I told Mom,” he said. “She was... psyched. I’m guessing Amelia will be too.”
“Hunter, sorry to rain on your parade, but all the girls will be psyched.”
He sighed. “True.”
“I think our best bet is to divide and conquer.”
“Elaborate.”
“We try to talk to everyone separately, or at least in small groups. If everyone bombards us with questions at the same time, we’re more likely to slip up and make a mistake.”