Fighting Solitude (On The Ropes #3)(85)

Maybe surrounded by family wasn’t the worst way to do this.

I looked back down at Liv, who was staring up at me with rapt attention.

“Hang on. Okay?” I said. Then I released her and jogged from the room.

I could hear the loud chatter of questions as I rushed to my gym bag hidden in my old bedroom and pulled out the ring I’d shown Leo.

Shoving it in my pocket, I made my way back into the living room.

“Sorry,” I said, wiping my suddenly clammy palms on my jeans.

Why was proposing so nerve-racking?

I knew that Liv was going to say yes, but my heart still raced as I took her small hand in mine.

Her bright eyes sparkled with unshed tears as she looked up at me. “You don’t have to do this just because of my dad.”

“You’re right. I don’t. Technically, I don’t ever have to do this.” I smirked, pulled the huge, square diamond solitaire out, and lifted it in her direction.

Her hand flew to her mouth, and she reached toward the ring before pulling her hand away. It was as though she were afraid to touch it for fear it would disappear.

“This. Changes nothing, Rocky. Sliding this on your finger won’t make me love you any more than I already do. A romantic vow won’t change my dedication to you. A marriage license won’t make us any more serious. This ridiculously expensive ring changes absolutely nothing but my bank account.” I paused as she giggled. “With or without this ring, I’m going to spend a lifetime with you. I’m still going to love you until the day I die. Nothing changes, Liv. Nothing.”

I sucked in a deep breath, but I didn’t hold it.

Not now. Not with Liv.

Dropping to a knee, I said, “I will love you forever. But that doesn’t start when I give you this ring. It started the very first time I laid eyes on you—and it will never end. Marry me, Liv.”

She didn’t say a word as she flew into my arms and buried her face in my neck. Her shoulders shook, but I had no idea if she was crying or laughing. I figured, either way, it was a positive sign, so I squeezed her impossibly tight. Glancing up at the warm faces of our family surrounding us, I couldn’t even be pissed at Leo anymore. The smiles were bright as love illuminated each one of them.

Some minutes later, Liv still hadn’t answered.

“I know I said that you don’t have to say yes, but it would go a long way in not making me look like a dumbass right now.” I whispered.

She barked a laugh and leaned away, replying with a megawatt grin, “Yes.”

No sooner had I slid the ring on her finger than she was gone.

Her mother hugged her. Her dad shook my hand, welcoming me into the family. Ash and Eliza squealed over the ring, while Till and Flint each took their turns wrapping me in a painful bear hug.

Eventually, Eliza rushed to the kitchen and made quick work of uncorking the champagne she had on hand for New Years, all the while scolding Till for having bought the cheap stuff. Ash went to work passing glasses to everyone, and Flint made a toast, but I couldn’t concentrate long enough to hear what he was saying.

I was in a state of absolute shock while staring down at Liv James tucked under my arm, admiring her engagement ring—my ring.

I was right. The ring changed nothing.

That one simple syllable in the word yes though?

Changed my entire life.





“YOU HAVE A GOOD NIGHT,” Rich, the night guard, said.

“You too.” I smiled warmly and drove out of the parking lot.

At the first stoplight, I dug my phone out of my purse in order to type out a text to Quarry, letting him know I was on my way home. But I realized my phone must have died somewhere over the last three hours, and my charger was connected to the wall in my office.

“Shit.” I breathed, debating the merits of circling back around to get it versus just driving all the way to the new house without a phone.

It had just started snowing, and the roads were bound to be icy. Quarry would probably have a shit-fit if he knew I was even considering driving without a phone. I groaned to myself then pulled a U-turn.

The parking lot was empty, and the building was dark. It scared the crap out of me, but I sucked it up and managed to get through the front door, immediately clicking the Christmas music on over the new intercom.

Less than a minute later, I was once again arming the alarm when a sudden pounding on the glass door made me jump.

“Shit!” I screamed at the top of my lungs.

My heart was pounding as I took in the large shadow lurking outside the door. It took me a second, but I smiled when I recognized the bright-blue eyes staring through the glass.

“Sorry,” he mouthed, lifting his hands in apology before shoving them into the pockets of his heavy coat.

I twisted the lock and pushed the door wide. “Jesus, Don. You scared me to death.”

“I knocked quietly at first, but I guess you didn’t hear me.” He looked up at the speakers on the ceiling. “I see the intercom system got fixed.”

I sighed and locked the door behind him. “Yeah. A lot of things have changed around here.” I took a giant step back and dramatically lifted my arms.

The room instantly illuminated with lights.

Don laughed and nodded approvingly. “Motion sensors. Nice.”

“Oh, you have no idea. My dad and Quarry got their hands on this place right after you left. New security system. New lights. New intercoms. Guard at the door.”