“I get it,” Hayden said.
I was so exasperated that I let out augh. “Now I understand why you’re still single in your thirties–
you’re way too boring!”
“You think I’m boring too?” he asked softly.
I thought about how he seemed pretty clueless when it came to flirting, and I couldn’t help but smile.
“I mean, you’re not exactly Mr. Smooth–Talker,”
Hayden was quiet for a few seco I always figured sweet–talking was just fancy lying.”
I blinked, caught off guard. That was… different.
“Do you want me to sweet–talk you?” he asked again.
Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.
I mean, who doesn’t like a little ttery? But it shoulde from the heart, not be some fake act–
like it was with Jace.
“Nah, just be yourself,” I said, snuggling closer into his chest. “You’re kinda perfect just the way you
are.”
“If I proposed to you, would you say yes?” Hayden suddenly brought up the marriage thing, picking
up right where we left off.
I hadn’t really thought about it, and now that he was asking so casually, I just blurted out, “You
haven’t even asked.”
As soon as the words left my mouth, he took my hand, pulled it out from under the covers, and
started ying with my fingers. “Kiki, will you marry me?”
I snorted. “Seriously? This is your proposal?”
“It’s not exactly one, but yeah, kinda,” Hayden replied in a way that made me want to smack him.
wow
I never pictured my first proposal going like this.
I’d always thought it would be Jace down on one knee, not Hayden casually popping the question in
bed.
But thinking about proposals reminded me of that day not too long ago when Jace had invited me to
the amusement park. He’d nned this whole big proposal there.
I didn’t go, butter, pictures popped up online. People thought it was some kind of event rehearsal,
but I knew it was meant for me. Jace’s big, grand gesture that I never showed up for.
“Hayden, do you really think you can win me over with just a few words? A real proposal needs at
least some flowers and a ring…” Before I could finish saying right?” he lifted the hand he’d been
holding.
I nced down and saw a ring sparkling on my finger.
My jaw dropped. I looked at Hayden, then back at my hand. There was no way he just put this on.
I slipped it onst night. I asked if you wanted to wear it, and you nodded,” he said, looking way too
pleased with himself.
“That’s not fair! I was asleep! How can that even count? I smacked him lightly.
marry me?”
“I know, that’s why I’m asking now,” Hayden said, gently tracing the ring on my finger. “Will you
marry
This guy…
If I said yes right away, I’d look way too easy,
So, I nced at the ring with mock disdain. “Hayden, if you’re serious about proposing, at least put
in some effort. Did you just grab some old family heirloom?”
He went quiet, and after a moment, he said softly, “It is. It was my mom’s. She said it was for her
future daughter–inw.”
I froze, feeling like aplete idiot. “I’m sorry, I was just joking. I didn’t mean-
“It’s okay,” he cut me off, his smile gentle. “This one’s from my mom to you. I’ve got another one
from me.”
I let out a relieved breath. “Then I’ll wait for your ring before I give you an answer.”
He chuckled, eyes sparkling. “So that’s a yes?”
I pouted, wanting to say no, but I didn’t want him
have the ring yet. How could that be a yes?”
to read too much into it, so I just huffed. “You don’t even
“You’re so stubborn,” Hayden muttered before leaning down and kissing me.
The kiss deepened, and everything else seemed to fade away until his phone started ringing.
He pulled back, both of us breathing heavily, and I blushed. “You should probably get that.”
He brushed his thumb over my cheek, then grabbed his phone from the nightstand. He nced at
the screen but didn’t answer. Instead, he put it on silent and tossed it aside.