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“It’s just a saying. Don’t take it so seriously,” I teased as my phone buzzed in my pocket. I slid it out to see a text from my brother.
Jackson: We’re having a great time! It’s so gorgeous. But not as gorgeous as my husband.
He had included a photo of the two of them on the beach, their eyes hidden behind ridiculous sunglasses and giant, cheesy smiles on their faces. Maverick’s cheeks were rosy from the sun, and my brother’s skin was already beginning to tan.
Tom: Shouldn’t you be enjoying that husband? Stop texting me and have a great honeymoon.
Jackson responded with a heart emoji, just as Killian grunted.
“Look at these two idiots.” He held out this phone to show me the same picture Jackson had sent me. “Maverick won’t stop sending photos to our band chat. I knew that was a bad idea to suggest it before he left. I keep threating to leave.”
“I think it’s sweet. He’s happy.”
Killian hummed in agreement. “He is.”
Linda came back over with my credit card and a receipt. She glanced at Killian before directing her attention back to me. We hadn’t run in the same circles in high school but had been to more than one Mulligan show together. Although she preferred throwing herself at the singer.
“How have you been, Linda?” Killian leaned his hip against the counter.
Her eyes widened. “Good, I’m good. I... you remember me?” she whispered.
“Sure, yeah, I mean, we had some fun together,” Killian answered. He was smooth, I’d give him that. No wonder he had a legion of fans.
Linda giggled. “You’re gay, Killian. I knew that back then. You were never that into me. You were always mooning over Matty Fuller, who I heard is your fiancé now. Congratulations.”
“He is, and thank you.” Killian didn’t correct her. He tapped his finger against the glass. “I’d like that.”
“He’s going to love it.” Linda removed the item and held it out for Killian to see. The black necklace was exactly what I would expect from Killian. An anatomically correct heart hung from the end.
Killian chuckled. “He’s going to hate it,” he murmured with a grin.
“Why do you say that?”
He pulled his bottom lip between his teeth. “I just want to lavish him with my love, and he gets a little embarrassed. Maybe I should rephrase that. Matthias won’t hate it; he’ll just be uncomfortable.” Killian tucked a curl behind his ear. “I only want him to know how much I regret what I did. The time we spent apart nearly killed me. Matthias is the best part of me.”
“I know exactly what you mean.”
“When do you plan on asking him?”
I met Killian’s blue orbs as I thought about my answer. “I’m not sure yet. I think I just wanted to have the ring in my hand. For it to seem real.”
Linda came back and placed Killian’s jewelry box on the case. She told me it would take a week before the ring would be ready. I half listened as Linda and Killian made small talk while I thought about the perfect way to propose. Should I make it romantic? Would Blake want something private or public? What if he said no? We hadn’t been back together all that long, and I had lied to him. But he had forgiven me.
“You’re thinking too hard about this, Tom.” Killian’s voice broke into my thoughts. “Just wait until the time is right. It doesn’t have to be some big elaborate thing. You love him. Show that to him.”
He was right. “How did you do propose to Matty?”
“In the treehouse. Where I first kissed him and where we first...” Killian’s voice drifted off as he coughed. “Anyway, it was the perfect spot.”
I wasn’t sure if I would ever get over the way Killian was when it came to talking about sex with his fiancé. It was, well, sweet.
“I kissed Blake by the pool the first time. Pretty much mauled him.”
“I bet.” Killian snorted. “Just don’t make a big deal out of it. Blake’s not going to say no. I’ve never seen him with anyone else, no matter how hard he tried to pretend.” He grabbed the bag with his necklace and waved his hand at Linda as she wished him well. I followed behind him. “Let’s bounce, man. I need to surprise my Matthias.”
And I had one for my Blake.
Chapter Forty-One
