Meant for You (The Connor Family 3)

“Yep, but they involve girl talk, and I remember you clearly telling me you want to be kept out of it, so....”

Will grimaced. Landon held up a hand. “Say no more.”

Truthfully, our other bet had been a more elaborate business. Maddie, Hailey, Lori, and I had made a bet on what kind of man would steal Val’s heart, but there was no reason to share that with our men.

Maddie and Hailey were betting on some sort of Hollywood hunk. Hailey in particular was very excited at that prospect. Lori and I veered toward a businessman.

We chitchatted about everything under the sun, and when Will held Willow, I furtively snapped a few pictures. He was expertly holding Willow on one arm, and she sighed adorably, snuggling up to her uncle.

Later, after Landon, Maddie, and Willow had left, Will caught me looking at the pictures as we were doing one last check to ensure everything was in place for Monday.

“What’s this? I thought you kept all images here.” He tapped his temple.

“Some should be photographed. You look cute with her.”

“Cute?”

I nodded with conviction. “Don’t get your boxers in a twist. You’re still all muscly and manly, but also... cute. I can’t explain it.”

Will flashed me a smile. Wait a second... that was an unusual smile, as if he was harboring a secret. Hmmm, what could it be? He came close enough that I only had to lean a few inches to kiss him, but I was no closer to guessing the secret.

“How do you think I’d look with one of our own? Or more? Personally, I think we’d do great with more. Of course, we could luck out and have twins. Two in one shot.” He pushed a strand of hair behind my ear.

I was stunned that he’d envisioned our future in such detail. I tried to keep my composure, but his words touched me deeply, and my voice wobbled a little when I spoke next.

“You’ve been giving this some thought.”

He dragged the tip of his nose across my cheek to my jawbone. “Since the condom scare.”

“You’ve been keeping secrets from me.”

“Just waiting for the right time.”

“I think you’re forgetting something.”

“I am?”

“We’re not married.”

He pulled back a little, and his secretive smile morphed into a teasing grin. “Paige Lamonica, are you proposing to me?”

I felt my cheeks heat up, then my neck. I decided to take out my embarrassment on him, and poked one of those superb biceps. “I was hoping you would propose to me, but if you don’t, I’ll reconsider a few things.”

His gaze was intense. In a fraction of a second, Will had an arm around my waist, keeping me against him.

He kissed me deep and hard, and when he pulled back, he said in a gruff voice, “You can’t very well do that if I’m kidnapping you next weekend, can you?”

Everything around us seemed to still. I was only aware of my thundering heartbeats, and how impossibly warm Will’s body felt against mine.

“You... are planning to propose?”

“Yes. Down on one knee, with a ring and

a very romantic speech.”

My heartbeat was out of control right now. Then I remembered a particular conversation and started laughing.

“Sorry, I just realized that’s why Hailey was so curious about the trip. Kept asking if we had some fancy dinner reservations.”