Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 70368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
“Oh my God.” I had uncovered any number of diabolical twists in games over the years, always guessed the murder suspects first in TV shows, and yet was entirely unprepared to deal with this surprise. “Is this because Gabe joked that you better make an honest dude of me?”
After getting over the initial shock of Atlas and me being a couple, Gabe had rallied admirably, rising to our new partnership to bring Seasons forward into the future together and generally making a pest of himself suggesting real estate options and honeymoon spots. Paige and Aunt Lucy were no better with their constant hints that we needed to go ahead and get engaged already.
“Since when do I listen to Gabe?” Atlas scoffed as traffic inched forward. Outside, Delaware was cold and flat, but in here, things were definitely heating up. “It’s the start of my favorite season. Our season. And I want to make it official so the whole time we’re serving Thanksgiving, you can look at your ring and know I’m gonna marry you for New Year’s.”
“You’re gonna what?” I croaked, blinking rapidly. Yup. Still in Delaware. Not dreaming, but stuck in the world’s most bizarre proposal. “Shouldn’t you ask me first?”
“You like me bossy, and you know it.” Atlas’s laugh had a pronounced nervous edge now. “Fine, may I marry you for New Year’s?”
“Like this New Year’s?” I twirled the ring in my palm, both dying to try it on and also simply dying, full stop. That he wanted a future was no surprise. We both did. We talked all the time about our lives four years from now. We’d even lain in bed more than a few nights, daydreaming over ideal celebrations. But now? That was the shocker.
“No time like the present. I already asked for the leave. What is it you always say in your gameplay videos? Go big or go home.”
“I like our home.” My voice came out thin and dazed. We had a little rental in Virginia Beach that my gamer friend had hooked us up with. Cute. Close to base. Perfect starter house.
“Zeb.” Atlas softened his tone. “Do you not want to get married? Too much? Too soon?”
“Too perfect,” I whispered. “It’s too perfect. I’m not sure I deserve this.”
“I am.” Atlas firmed his voice right back up. “You deserve all the happiness. We both do. The final business partnership papers are done. I’m ready to become a Seasons.”
“You’re going to take my name?” We’d talked about so very much, but not that.
“With your permission.” A ruddy flush spread from Atlas’s neck to his forehead. “But Atlas Orion Seasons has a great sound to it.”
“It does.” I nodded, not even trying to hide how much I loved the idea. “And you’re family now, even without a name change. But…damn, I want that. Atlas Orion Seasons.”
“See? You’ve spent all year convincing me I deserve a home, a family, love, and commitment, and I believe you. And us. I believe in us. We deserve this, Zeb.”
“We do.” I waited until he glanced over at me again. “Yes, yes, I’ll marry you for New Year’s.”
“Good.” Atlas exhaled like he’d held his breath for a fifty-yard swim. “God, I love you. Thank you for saying yes to my wild scheme.”
“You were worried I might turn you down?” I tilted my head, examining him closer. Yep. In addition to the blush, he kept darting his eyes around, and his hands continued their nervous drumming. “Seriously?”
“Maybe a little worried I might be drinking champagne alone tonight.”
“Like I’d let you drink alone.” Traffic continued to plod forward, so I risked a quick kiss on his cheek. “And why the heck did we agree to work tomorrow? We better not show up with hangovers.”
Atlas chuckled, his laugh much looser now that I’d agreed. “Nix will kill us if we’re not there to taste the cranberry sauce.”
“Taste.” I held up my index finger. “No one’s wearing it this year.”
“I wouldn’t mind.” Atlas shrugged. “Look what it got me.”
“Me. It got you me.” I went ahead and slid the ring on. It fit perfectly because, of course, it did.
“Worth it. Totally worth every red berry.” We both laughed before he pointed at the highway in front of us. “Hey, look, traffic is moving again.”
“We’re practically almost home.” I grinned and looked down at my ring. It was heavy and cool, and I already loved the weight of it on my finger.
“I already am.” Atlas’s voice was so serious I glanced up. “My home is with you.”
“Same.” If the past year of long drives and long waits and learning to be a couple had shown me anything, it was that home was far less about Kringle’s Crossing than I’d thought and far more about how I felt in Atlas’s embrace. “I’m not sure who’s gonna freak more, my fans or Aunt Lucy and Paige. They’ve all got holiday wedding ideas for days.”