Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
RYDER
“I’m sorry, Daphne,” I said to break the silence.
“Yeah, I guess you can’t help it. If you had told me everything right—”
“We haven’t really had a chance when you saved me the first time.”
She sighed and stopped moving. I grabbed her arm and pulled her close to my body. She was beautiful as her golden hair cascaded down her shoulders. She blew out a breath, and a few strands puffed up. “I’m in over my head.”
“I think we both are. Could we talk to them?”
“And tell them what?” she asked.
“I promise I won’t tell anyone?”
Her eyebrows lifted. “You think that will work with a magical mafia dude?”
“Yes.”
She laughed and shook her head as an old woman walked towards us. “Oh, what a lovely couple, Gerald. Reminds me of us when we were young,” she cooed as she patted her husband’s hand. He mumbled something to her as he nodded towards us.
Daphne’s face turned red as she mumbled, “Thank you so much.”
That’s when it hit me. “Daphne, can you do me a favor?”
Her face changed as she looked back at me. “What? I already am. I’ve saved your life twice.”
“Will you be my girlfriend?”
Her face shifted until her eyes widened. “Oh, god, you can’t be saying what I think you’re saying.”
Daphne pulled away from me and stomped off.
She turned into the cafe, and I chased. In a flurry of motion, I grabbed her hand and slipped to one knee.
Her eyes widened as she looked down at me.
Panic crossed her face as she looked around.
Everyone was watching. “Daphne, I know I haven’t known you for long.
You’re one of the most beautiful and amazing person I know.
You’re quick on your feet and kind. Would you…
” I pulled out my wallet and slipped an antique ring out of the small change pocket.
My heart thumped in my chest. This isn’t what I imagined when I inherited this ring, but this might need to happen. “Marry me?”
The cafe went silent. I was shooting my shot here, and it could go wrong.
A few girls in the corner had their phones out, taping us.
This made it even better. Maybe, just maybe…
my eyes quickly signaled to them. Daphne's had moved as she slightly looked towards them. Her face shifted as she realized what was happening. She closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath. A smile—fake as hell only because I had seen a few genuine smiles already—lit up her face. “Of course! Oh my god! I can’t believe it!”
I slipped the ring on her finger and her face twitched. She couldn’t keep the fake happy for that moment as grief and shock passed through her. Daphne lifted her hand and blew on the ring.
“I’m sorry, I haven’t gotten it sized yet.” The ring sparkled again, and she pushed it past the knuckle.
She smiled sweetly, unshed tears dotting her eyes. “It’s perfect. Now let me get a coffee.”
“Of course,” I whispered as I stood up. I pulled out a twenty and walked to the counter. The barista smiled and giggled as I approached.
“That was the most romantic thing I have ever seen. Sigh. I don’t think that will ever happen to me.”
“Never lose hope,” I muttered. I turned to Daphne, who was looking at the ring with furrowed brows. “What do you want?”
“Flat white, iced.”
I nodded as I put in our orders. I paid as another woman walked up to Daphne to chat about the proposal. The girls giggled, and I prayed they were posting it on the socials. If I were attached to a witch, maybe they would stop hunting me.