Oh, God. She was. Did that make her a cheater after all?
“I’d like to think of it as you wearing my ring.”
Her gaze lifted to his, confusion in her eyes.
“My mother is the eldest daughter. Legally, the ring belongs to my mother. Not Aunt Debra.”
“It’s an engagement ring, Garrett.”
His eyes searched hers as his fingers tightened on the band. “I know, and I’ll get you another one if you’d like. One that’s more like you.” He clambered around her and off the bed, and then dropped to one knee beside her. “Blair, I love you, and I don’t want to spend another day without you. Marry me.”
She grinned. “Did you seriously just propose to me on one knee—naked?”
He lifted his shoulder and smirked. “Full disclosure. Literally.”
Her smile fell. He was serious. “Garrett . . .”
He rose to sit on the side of the bed, then cradled the back of her head and pulled her mouth to his. His tongue parted her lips and ignited another fire of desire inside her. She had no doubt that she loved him, and no one had ever made her feel the way Garrett did, but . . .
She pushed against his chest, pulling back. “It’s so sudden. Where would we live? How would this work?”
He cupped her cheek, looking up into her eyes. “For once in your life, go with your heart, Blair. Not with your head.”
“But my job—”
“Fuck Sisco, Sisco, and Reece. Why would you want to work for them after the sexist stunt they pulled on you?”
“So I give up my job—and you just keep yours?”
“From what you said, if you’re not getting married tonight, you won’t have a job to give up.” He said it matter-of-factly, but not without sympathy.
Oh, God. He was right.
He held her hand. “I’ll quit mine too. We’ll both start over. I don’t care where we live, Blair. As long as it’s together.”
This was crazy. They had both changed in five years. They needed more time. But looking into his eyes now, she knew she could wait five minutes or five more years, and she’d still want the same thing. She’d want him.
For once she was going to listen to her heart.
“Yes.”
He tackled her onto the bed, capturing her mouth and showing her what she had to look forward to as his wife.
A half hour later, she lay in his arms with her head nestled against his chest. His fingers stroked her back, and she looked up at him. “Garrett, I still need to see to Neil.”
“Why don’t you just call him?”
She pushed up on one elbow. “I can’t end this on the phone. That’s nearly as bad as breaking up with someone in a text message.”
“I know, but it was worth a shot.” He grinned, but the expression faded quickly. “At least you’re seeing him with my ring now.”
She sat up and sighed. “I need to go home and change. But my car’s still at the church. And I have to find out who has my purse.”
He sat up, snatched his phone off the nightstand, and handed it to her. “I’ll drive you home, but why don’t you call him to set up a time? I’m sure there are arrangements that need to be canceled.”
She cringed, overwhelmed by the enormity of the task.
He smiled at her and gave her a kiss. “It’s going to be okay. I’ll help you. I’m sure Megan and Libby will help too.”
She nodded. “Thank you.”
He put the phone in her hand and stood. “I’ll go into the bathroom and give you some privacy, but come join me in the shower when you’re done.”
“Okay.”
She watched him walk into the bathroom and shut the door. When she heard the water come on, she took a deep breath to steady her nerves as she placed the call.
“Where is she, Garrett?” Neil answered. The obvious hate in his voice caught Blair off guard.
“It’s not Garrett,” she said. “And I’m right here.”
“Blair.” His tone softened. “God, I’ve been so worried about you.”
“I’m fine.”
He paused, and his voice was cold when he spoke again. “I’m sure you are, since you’re calling me at nine in the morning on our wedding day from your ex-boyfriend’s phone.”
She cringed but didn’t respond. It was deserved. “I need to see you, Neil.”
“It’s bad luck to see your groom on your wedding day.”
She rested her elbow on her knee and pressed her hand against her forehead. “Neil.”
“Okay. I’ll meet you.”
“Thank you.”
“You know I love you, Blair. If you need reassurance, and I’m sure you do after your . . . night—I’ll be more than happy to give it to you. Do you want me to come to the condo?”
“I’m not there.”
“I see.” He paused. “Can you come to my loft?”
Something in his voice sounded off, not that she blamed him. He was handling it better than she would have if their situations had been reversed. “I’d rather meet somewhere neutral.”
He was silent for several seconds. “Garrett’s staying at the Omni, and I know for a fact your car is still at the church. There’s a bakery a block away from the hotel, close enough for you to walk there. Can you be decent in a half hour?”
She cringed again, but she deserved that too. “Yes. I’ll meet you then.”
“I know you’re worried about sparing my feelings, but I fully expect you to show up in the dress you wore last night.” His voice broke. “So don’t worry about changing. I just want to see you. I can overlook what you’re wearing.”
“Neil,” she forced past the lump in her throat. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s going to be fine, Blair. Just come see me.”
She hung up and set the phone on nightstand. It dinged, so she picked it back up.
There was a text on the screen from BD: The contract still needs some work. We’ll try to have it done in time.
She cringed when she realized she’d read a professional text. Then it dinged again, and a new one popped up.
That’s a lot of money to give up for a woman. I hope she’s worth it.
Was that text about her? What money was he giving up?
Garrett found her sitting on the bed when he got out of the shower. He pulled her up and into his arms, his body still damp.
“Blair? Are you okay? Did he—”
Her mouth twisted to the side. “He was more understanding than I would have been.” She paused, then looked into his eyes. “Why did you go to see Neil at his office?”
He swallowed. “I’m not sure what bullshit he told you, but from your reaction when I confirmed going there, it couldn’t have been good. But I promise you, I only went to find out if he really loved you.”
“And?”
His jaw tightened. “I was unsatisfied with his answers. Do you believe me?”
She wanted to ask about the texts too, but she worried she’d come across as defensive or snooping. Bottom line, she trusted him or she didn’t, and she wholeheartedly did. “Yes.”
He cradled her head to his chest. “So you and Neil are done?”