Page 28 of Two for Tacos
She spun toward him, a gasp catching in her throat when she saw the open blue velvet ring box pointed at her. “B-but… you don’t want to get married… we already have a contract… we don’t need…”
He reached a finger to her lips to shush her. “I have told you before, it is important to you so it is important to me. Can I say what I need to say first, please? Before you jump ahead again?”
She nodded against his finger. “Yes, Sir.”
“I have known you were special from the moment I saw you at the ice rink.”
She smiled as if remembering the memory.
“But when you literally fell into my arms atProtocol, I could not ignore the sign from the universe that you were destined to be special to me.” He reached out and brushed a tear from the apple of her cheek with the pad of his thumb.
“You do not need me to make you happy. You are strong and capable, and you are going to do great things in the world. I would greatly enjoy being able to accompany you for the ride.”
Her watery smile and trembling jaw struck him somewhere deep in his chest.
“Marry me, Mackenzie.”
At her nod, the table erupted louder than the fans cheering the Raccoon’s win at the Trash Can, but not loudly enough to swallow her “Yes, Sir,” as she stared into his eyes.
Her hand shook as he slipped the delicate ring onto her finger. She barely gave it a second glance before launching herself at him, looping her arms around his neck and knocking the air from his lungs.
“Je t’aime, Mon Guerrier.”
He brushed his nose back and forth against hers. “I love you, Mackenzie.”
Another round of drinks and churros with molten chocolate dipping sauce for dessert followed the wave of congratulations. They stayed until closing time, and as the teams parted ways at the door to the restaurant, ready to face the season being competitors and adversaries, Austin couldn’t help but hope they’d strengthened the bonds between the teams with their little wager.
Mackenzie stood a couple of feet away, chatting to Molly and Claudia as Austin said his goodbyes to the Raccoons. He caught her eye when he stood between the twins. He didn’t miss her tongue darting out to lick her full lips and the tiniest incline of her head and bounce of her eyebrows before she gave him their ‘go ahead’ sign for him to open discussions with the twins about joining them in the bedroom.
Her smile widened as she swept her hair behind her ear, the light from the restaurant catching the diamond ring on her finger. His heart squeezed. He couldn’t wait to see what else the future held for them both, starting with a spit roasted fiancée.
“Apollo, Artemis, I have something I wish to discuss with you both.”
