Knox (Chicago Blaze 4)

And it’s because of that that I’m having such a hard time getting excited about going to New York. I’m crazy excited about two things in my life—this new job and Knox. I don’t want to have to choose between them.

A voice in the back of my head is telling me there will be other job opportunities, but there’s only one Knox. I’m absolutely torn about what to do.

The glass of wine goes down smooth and fast. I realize then how hungry I am. I was so eager to get all my work done and get out of there for the day that I never had anything to eat.

I’m on my way into the kitchen to find something for dinner when there’s a knock at my door. I set my empty wine glass on the counter and walk over to answer it.

Knox is standing there, dressed in jeans and a black wool coat. He’s holding a box with the emblem of my favorite cupcake bakery on it, sized perfectly for a dozen cupcakes.

“Hey,” he says, his eyes sparkling with happiness.

“Hi, this is a nice surprise.”

“Me, or the cupcakes?”

I laugh and say, “Both.”

He comes inside and hugs me with his free arm. The familiar scent of his soap makes me snuggle a little closer to his chest. I already miss him when he’s traveling—how will I manage if I only get to see him once every couple weeks?

“You’re habit forming, you know that?” I say.

“I’m glad you think so.”

I sniff. “Is that…cream cheese frosting?”

“You want one of these?” he asks, holding the box up too high for me to reach.

I jump anyway, coming close because nothing motivates me like a carrot cake cupcake from Sweet Stuff. Knox takes the box over to my coffee table and sets it down.

“I was just about to see what I could find for dinner,” I say, bending down to open the box.

Inside there are a dozen assorted perfect cupcakes, each a different flavor. The smells of chocolate and cream cheese fill the air as I survey the twelve little cakes, eleven with cherries on top and one with…a glimmering diamond ring.

I let out a little yell of shock and cover my mouth with my hand, standing up. Knox gets down on one knee and looks up at me, looking so hopeful and worried that tears fill my eyes and immediately spill over.

“Reese, I know it’s soon. I know you’re scared of being hurt again. But I love you and I want to be with you more than anything. When you find someone who makes everything make sense…you can’t let go of that.”

“Knox…”

“Please say yes. I don’t think there’s anything we can’t do together. Just believe in me like I believe in you, and—”

“Yes.” I lean down and cup his face in my hands, unable to watch him suffer anymore. “As long as you’re absolutely sure—yes.”

His face transforms with a huge smile. “Of course I’m sure.”

He takes my hand and slides the ring onto my finger. I get my first good look at it, my mouth falling open in shock when I see the huge cushion cut solitaire on a white gold band lined with small diamonds.

“If you don’t like it—”

“I love it.” I wipe away the tears on my face, making way for new ones. “I can’t believe this.”

Knox stands up and wraps his arms around me, picking me up and hugging me.

“I can’t believe it, either,” he says, his voice catching with emotion. “You just made me the happiest guy in the world, Reese.”

He kisses me and sets me on the ground. As soon as my feet touch the wood floor, I make a decision.

“I’m not going to New York. I need to be here with you.”

“I didn’t ask you to make you stay here,” Knox says, his brow crinkled with concern.

“I know, but you can’t just move to New York because of your job, and I’ve got my classes and work at the shelter here a couple days a week. Maybe I can find a way to do more there.”

Knox takes my hands in his. “I had lunch with the owner of my team today so I could ask him to trade me to New York.”

My dainty proposal tears turn into a full-on ugly cry. “Are you serious? Because of me?”

He grins. “Because of us.”

“Knox, no. You love your team. You’ve worked so hard. Don’t--”

He stops me, saying, “I’m not going to New York. Durand had a better idea…at least, I thought so. I hope you will, too.”

My heart is pounding like I just finished an Olympic-level floor routine. I’m not sure I can take much more excitement without needing to sit down. But I’m dying to know, so I ask.

“What is it?”

Knox takes a breath before diving in. “He said you can start your own place like the New York one, but here in Chicago. He’ll back it financially.”