Page 75 of Playing for Keeps

“Good news? What is it?”

Skye held up her left hand, showcasing a sparkling diamond ring. “Hayden proposed!”

Skye’s long-time boyfriend, now fiancé, appeared behind her and slid his arm around her waist. “I wanted to wait for midnight, but…” He shrugged. “I was a little too excited.”

Caroline squealed with her friend before turning to Justin. He winked, and her heart soared. They knew what it was like to be too excited to wait. She had a shiny new ring on her finger, but the leather band around her wrist had been enough to seal the deal.

Dinner was as loud as always, and the kids were a lot less feral once they’d gotten their bellies filled. Alicia found an early New Year’s countdown online and pulled it up on the big screen TV.

Caroline settled onto Justin’s lap in the chair they’d sat in the last time he came for a family meal. “Do you want to hang out with me tonight?”

His arms wrapped around her, and he pressed a kiss to her jaw. His warm breath skimmed her cheek as he whispered, “I can’t think of a better way to start the new year than being right here with you.”