Page 103 of Aiden & Lily

He nodded. “We had a nice, long chat.”

“What did he say?”

Aiden’s skin heated. “He may or may not have threatened bodily harm if I ever broke your heart.”

She snorted a laugh. “Typical. Honestly, I’m surprised he didn’t tell you to walk off a cliff or some nonsense.”

His grin widened. “I think there was something along the lines of no one being good enough for his little girl, but I’m close enough.”

Lily laughed. Then she wiggled her fingers. “Well? What are you waiting for?”

Aiden drew in a shaky breath and nodded. “Right.”

He looked up at the woman who had changed everything.

“Lily, will you marry me? Will you be my partner and build a life with me? Will you make me the happiest man alive and let me spend the rest of my life loving you?”

Her eyes sparkled with unshed tears. “Yes,” she said on a broken whisper. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

With that, he slipped the princess-cut diamond onto her finger. She held it up to admire it while people at a couple of nearby tables clapped for them. Then she took his face into her hands and kissed him.

When they pulled apart, she brushed a stray tear from her cheek. “You make me the happiest woman alive too, you know.”

Aiden pressed a kiss to her forehead, then took his seat. “That is music to my ears.”

About an hour later, they were seated across from Parker and Jasmine at a creamery that served rolled ice cream. Jasmine was gushing over how perfect she thought the ring was.

But Parker was quiet. Every so often, his eyes would catch Aiden’s and he’d smile, but he seemed deep in thought.

Parker wasn’t the same man as he’d been a few months ago. He’d kept the reason for his good mood to himself, but now Aiden wanted to know what had changed.

Not now, though. That conversation could wait.

“So…” Jasmine drawled. “When’s the wedding?”

Lily beamed and met Aiden’s eyes. He nodded. They had already talked about what they wanted. There was no reason to drag things out if they were both ready.

“We agreed we don’t need a long engagement. We’re hoping to secure a date next month, then we can order the invitations.”

Parker choked on his ice cream. Then he wiped his mouth with a napkin.

Aiden shot him an amused glance. “Think you can pull yourself together long enough to be my best man?”

He coughed again, and the rest of them chuckled.

Jasmine grinned at him. “Come on, Parker. It’s not like you’re getting married anytime soon. Breathe.” She patted him on the back and winked at Lily. “I’m guessing I’ll be your maid of honor?”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Lily insisted.

Parker nodded once he caught his breath, offering his brother a faint smile. “I’ll be there. I wouldn’t miss my big brother’s wedding for the world.”

“I appreciate it.”

Aiden draped an arm around Lily’s shoulders, then leaned in and kissed her temple.

“I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you,” he whispered.

She grinned back. “Same.”