That Second Chance (Getting Lucky #1)(100)

“Fuck no,” I answer as quickly as possible. It’s not that I don’t want to marry Ren. In fact, the minute I know it’s right, I’m going to take the opportunity to fully make her mine. No, I’m not proposing tonight because there is no way in hell I would do it in front of half the town.

Nope.

When I propose, it’s going to be private and keep us out of the Port Snow headlines for as long as possible.

“You don’t have to be so blunt.”

“I’m not doing it in front of all of you fools.”

Brigs shakes my shoulder, surprise on his face. “But you’re going to do it?”

I drag my hand over my face. “Jesus Christ, go stand with your other brother. Please.”

“If I wasn’t so excited, I would be insulted that you’re putting me in the same box as Reid.”

“She’s here,” Jen whispers, making her way into the backyard from the front of the house. “Everyone quiet.”

Silence falls over the group as the first light in the house switches on.

A month ago, Ren moved into my house. It took some convincing, because she loved being so close to the beach, but I argued that living three houses farther from the water was still damn close. After two days of putting it off, she finally relented and moved in with me.

And even though she won’t admit it, I know she likes that my backyard backs up into woods, a nice change from the rental, whose backyard opened up to the house behind her, affording not much privacy at all. And boy, do we need the privacy.

“Griff?” Ren calls out, making her way to the kitchen, the room that connects with the deck.

“Out here, baby.” She steps outside just as my dad flips on the outdoor lights we set up.

In unison, we all shout, “Surprise!” and scare my girl right out of her shoes.

Hand to her heart, a look of utter shock on her face, she nervously laughs as I hop up on the deck and pull her into my arms.

“Happy birthday, babe,” I murmur into her ear, my arms circling her waist. “Are you surprised?”

“You could say that.” She chuckles and pulls away just enough to look me in the eyes. “Did you plan this all on your own?”

I glance around the backyard filled with our family and friends. “I wish I could say I did, but it was a town effort. They love you, and I can’t blame them.” I place a soft kiss on her lips right before everyone approaches, giving Ren hugs and asking if she was surprised.

With my hand in her back pocket, keeping her as close as possible, I watch as she beams with joy, hugs every single person, thanking them for coming, and jokes around with my brothers, throwing in her jabs whenever she gets a chance.

Fuck, I couldn’t love this woman any more.

After a good ten minutes of people greeting her and Ren taking in the strung lights, the wood benches surrounding a firepit, and the copious amounts of food my parents prepared, she finally makes her way to the gigantic box that’s been sitting in the grass, off to the right, waiting to be opened.

When she examines the wrapping, she quirks an eyebrow at me. “Are those little moose all over that box?”

“Did you not take in the theme?” I motion to the party. “Moose napkins, moose antlers, moose hats.”

She blinks a few times and chuckles. “I was so consumed by thanking people and scoping out the food that I didn’t even notice. Did you throw me a moose-themed birthday party?”

“I thought it was only fitting.” I kiss the side of her head. “Now open your present.”

She eyes the huge box, defeat already in her eyes. “How do you expect me to unwrap this monster?”

I lean down and hold up two giant ribbons attached to the box. “Just pull on these.”

Skeptically, she gives me a once-over. “What are you hiding under here, Griffin Knightly? Another house?”

“Just open it and find out.”

Everyone surrounds us as Ren pulls on the thick ribbons, yanking with all her might to reveal her birthday present.

The sides of the box collapse, and she gasps as she takes in what’s been hiding all this time.

“My car!” She runs up to it and starts taking it all in. “Oh my gosh, my car is finally done.”

“Sorry about the wait.” Brig steps in. “Griff wanted to surprise you, so we spent a little bit longer with it. But we polished her up nice, put in a new airbag and radiator. She’s a well-oiled machine, ready to take on another moose.”

“This is wonderful, thank you.” Ren throws her arms around Brig’s neck and gives him a giant hug. He smiles wickedly at me as he squeezes her tight.

I don’t take too long in breaking them up. “All right, all right. It was my idea after all. If it were up to Brig, your car would still be in the shop.”

“Lies,” he spouts off. “We have impeccable service at the shop. Sorry that I was playing matchmaker trying to get you two together.”

I roll my eyes and link my hand with Ren’s, bringing her closer to the car, where she can get a better look.

“It’s perfect. Thank you so much, Griffin. This must have cost a fortune.”

“Not when my brother is the owner.” I wink. It was a lot, but she’s worth it. “Did you catch the license plate?”

“No.” She smiles and then goes to the hood of the car, where she reads the license plate out loud. “Moose Me.” She chuckles and shakes her head. “Please, I don’t want any moose to ‘moose’ me anytime soon.”