Addy And The Smart Guy (Big Girl Panties #3)
Page 21
"Open it," Kellen said.
"Umm, no?" Zoey replied, staring with horror at the small box.
"Come on, you know you want it."
Zoey shook her head. "What is it? Tell me what it is."
Addy sat forward, biting her bottom lip, mentally screaming at Zoey to open the damn box.
"Open the damn box!" Maya shouted.
Zoey unwrapped it, flipped it open, and squealed like a little girl. She turned to Kellen and dug her fingers into his arm. "Oh, my God! Kellen? What is this?"
"It's an engagement ring. Do you want it?"
"For fuck's sake, propose to me like a gentleman, dammit!"
Kellen grinned and stood up from the table. He took the ring from the box and knelt in front of Zoey. "Crazy lady, you've made me happier than I ever knew I could be. I hope I've done the same for you. Will you be my wife, Zoey?"
Zoey burst into tears. "Oh, God!" she sobbed, throwing her arms around his neck.
He laughed and kissed her cheek. "I'll take this as a yes." She nodded against his neck.
Maya's expression mirrored Addy's own. Tears in her eyes, a smile of adoration and pure joy knowing her friends were so happy in love. Maya didn't seem to notice when Jayce left the table. Addy noticed, though, and as soon as she could, she stood to join him. He was cleaning the grill, his expression neutral as always. "You okay?" Addy asked.
"Sure," he said with a smile. "Are you?"
"I'm fine, Jayce. If there's something you want, then it's okay for you to ask for it."
He sighed. "I have asked. I ask on a regular basis. She needs time, that's all."
"She's had time. She's doing really well. Push a little bit. Your feelings matter, too."
"Do you push? You're dating someone who's afraid of commitment. Do you push him to get what you want?"
"I'm not in a hurry. When he's ready, he'll propose. And we're already moving in together. Hell, Jayce, she could give you that. She keeps you here most of the time anyway, it's not unreasonable for you to insist on moving in together."
He let out a soft laugh. "You can say that because you're a woman. A man can't insist. It doesn't work that way."
"You're a gentleman, Jayce. But you can take that too far. Think about how many years it took you to tell her how you felt."
"She was married."
"There were plenty of years before she met Damon. Plenty of time for you to get her attention. Get it now, if you want it."
Jayce didn't say anything else. He quit scrubbing the grill, stepped back, and folded his arms over his chest. Addy wondered what he was looking at behind his sunglasses. The kids squealing with their puppy in the sprinkler. Zoey and Kellen leaning in close to one another, sharing one of those private, lover's conversations. Grey and Maya conversing about something.
Addy frowned. Grey had on his professor face, gesturing as he spoke. "Wonder what they're talking about," she murmured. Maya nodded in response to what Grey was saying.
"You happy with him?" Jayce asked.
"Better than happy. Content."
"Good. I always thought you deserved to have whatever you wanted."
Addy smiled up at Jayce, but his gaze was locked on Maya and Grey. Or probably just Maya.
Jayce started walking toward Maya, his stride purposeful. Addy was one step behind him. When Jayce reached her side, he gently took her arm. "It's time for us to move in together."
Maya's lips turned up in a smile. She cast a knowing glance at Grey and turned back to Jayce. "Yes."
Jayce's eyebrows shot up. "Huh?"
"Yes. It's time. I want you to move in with me."
Jayce's smile was almost heartbreaking. He took Maya in his arms, lifting her off her feet in a bear hug. "You won't regret this. I'm gonna make you so happy, Maya."
"You already do."
The conversation was only going to get sappier from there, so Addy took Grey's hand and led him away.
That evening, they drove back toward St. Louis. Addy asked, "What were you and Maya talking about?"
"Just about how there's a time to look to yourself and your own needs. But then there's also a time to sacrifice for the ones you love. I don't think it was a big sacrifice for her, though, letting Jayce move in. I think at this point, she's just afraid of the perception. That people will think she's moving too fast with him."
Addy ran her hand over his shoulder. "You like my friends?"
"For the most part," he said with a grin and a wink.
They arrived at his apartment. She stepped inside and intended to head to the shower, but Grey caught her by the elbow. "So this is the vacation you want? Just playing house in my apartment?"
"Yes," she said.
"You're sure?"
"Absolutely sure. One hundred percent."
He nodded. "All right. Well, welcome to your vacation."
"Thank you." She kissed him and once again started toward the bedroom.
Once again, he stopped her with a hand to her arm. "If you'll just wait here," he said.
She stood there in confusion as he disappeared through the kitchen and into his bedroom. He came out a moment later, took her by the hand, and led her to the sofa. "I was going to do this in some exotic locale," Grey said, "but you've chosen this apartment."
Addy sat perched on the edge of the sofa as Grey knelt in front of her and took her left hand. "What are you doing?" she whispered.
"You know, I figured I'd do this in a few years. I thought I'd need time. But thinking about our future together, going away in August, I realized I don't want to wait. I don't want to start our life together without making this commitment first. Addy, will you marry me?"
Her breath caught in her throat, and she fleetingly realized why Zoey had reacted like such a complete idiot earlier that day. "Oh, Grey," she whispered. She watched in awe as he slid a gorgeous, diamond ring onto her finger.
"Do you need to think about it?"
"No. Just savoring the moment."
"You realize it's torture for me. I'm actually nervous that you'll say no or put me off."
This brought her back down to reality, and she let out a laugh. "You're so sweet. Yes. Yes, I'll marry you. Oh, thank you, Grey!" She threw her arms around his neck, knocking him backwards onto the floor.
He laughed and kissed her. She laughed and kissed him back.
After they made love, Addy rested her cheek in the crook of his shoulder. "Are you happy, Dr. McDaniel?" she asked softly.
"Kiddo, I didn't know what happy was until I met you. Thank you, Addy. Thank you for loving me first."
"Thanks for loving me back."
He squeezed her close and then stood. He lifted her into his arms and carried her back to bed to begin their forever together.
About The Author
Carter Ashby is a hardworking housewife and homeschool mother by day, and a romance reader and writer by night. She lives in rural Missouri with her husband, three children, and two dogs.
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Other Works by Carter Ashby:
Without You Here
Not A Chance
Big Girl Panties Trilogy
Zoey And The Nice Guy (#1)
Maya And The Tough Guy (#2)