Chapter 20
Sophie wasn’t snooping. Really, she wasn’t.
She had been looking for a spare blanket—nothing more, nothing less. It was late, Liam was working in his studio, and his bed was cool without him beside her under the covers.
The question was where to find said blanket. The tall armoire in the corner. That seemed like the place a man would shove an extra blanket.
She pulled open the large doors, revealing several drawers. Deciding to start at the bottom since they were the largest, she tugged one open, expecting soft fabric, maybe even an old sweater she could borrow. Instead, her fingers brushed against something hard. Frowning, she pulled it out, her heart giving a strange, uneven lurch at the sight of it. A small blue velvet box. It couldn’t be.
But she knew it was. What else would he keep hidden away inside a small velvet jewelry box?
Holding her breath, she flipped the lid open with her thumb, and there it was—an engagement ring.
Three diamonds representing their past, present, and future, set in white gold gleamed against the dark velvet, each one catching the dim light.
Her throat tightened as she traced the edge of the box with her fingertip.
Liam had been carrying on like nothing had changed between them, as if he was happy to let things unfold slowly, on her terms. But this, this wasn’t slow. This was a future. A vow.
A choice.
Her pulse pounded in her ears as she tried to process what it meant. When did he buy it? Why hadn’t he asked her yet? Was he waiting for the right moment? Had he second-guessed himself? Did he change his mind?
Just then she heard the front door open then close.
She gasped, dropped the box back into the drawer and slid it closed just as Liam stepped into the room.
He frowned, eyes flicking over her face, his hands braced casually against the doorframe. “Is everything all right, love? I thought maybe you would be asleep.”
“Yes, of course, fine. I…” Her voice wobbled. “Well, I mean, I was asleep, but I got cold, so I was looking for a blanket. I can’t find a damn thing in your room.”
He huffed a laugh in return and stepped closer. There was something in her eyes that didn’t seem right. “Are you sure you’re okay? You seem troubled.”
Nope. Not okay. Not even remotely. But she lied through her teeth and yawned good and wide to disguise it. She even threw in a wide two-armed stretch into her performance. “I’m just tired is all.”
Something about how the thought of him asking her to marry him sent her heart into a panicked, hopeful free fall. How she didn’t know if she was ready—but how a part of her wanted to be.
Liam watched her for another beat, then shook his head with a smile. “Come on, I’ll grab an extra blanket, and get the fire going again. And maybe make us some hot chocolate. You look like you need it.”
“That sounds nice.” She yawned again figuring if she did it twice then it would be more believable. Never mind that her heart was hammering against her ribs.
He turned toward the hallway, and Sophie exhaled a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. She carefully opened the drawer so as not to make any noise then slipped the ring box back where she found it and carefully arranged the contents of the drawer exactly as it had been.
When she closed the armoire doors, she took a moment to steady herself.
She had just seen her future. And whether she was ready or not, it was waiting for her.