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I love you, too.

Did everything go okay at the lake?

Vaughn

Yep. Dalton checked on his boat and it’s put to bed for the season.

I let out a breath and felt a wave of relief despite still being nervous as fuck for the next part of this.

You get everything set up at the garage?

Vaughn

Yep. All set. Now I’m enjoying an extra large coffee out in the truck. And face-fucking another ice pack. Some asshole kicked me in the jaw last night.

I snorted.

I heard you deserved it.

Vaughn

You’ve got this, princess. Knock ’em dead.

I sucked in a breath and held it.

I think you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I’m sending flowers to whatever angel in the housing office paired us up.

Vaughn

Her name’s Penny, but that’s a story for another time.

“Bett, honey,” my mom said softly. “We need to get to the club. They’re expecting us.”

I slid my phone away and followed her to the dark SUV waiting to take us to the country club.

When we arrived a few minutes later, I took a deep breath and pulled my father aside.

“Can I have a few minutes of your time in private? To give you an… update… on our situation?”

“Later,” he said. “At the house.”

“I can’t.” I gave him an apologetic smile. “I have an important group project meeting. Need to keep those grades up, you know?”

He frowned, but waved my mother, the Wisbeys, and the rest of his team to the dining room. He let me steer him toward a large supply closet I’d once pulled Arden into for a quick make-out session.

As I closed the door behind us, I took a minute to focus.

See it. Set it. Send it.

This wasn’t really any different than setting up the perfect kick. Assess the weather. Cut out the noise. Keep your eye on the laces.

Believe in your own strength and ability.

“I’m not pleased, Corbett,” my father sniffed, shooting the cuffs of his perfectly tailored suit jacket. “You were supposed to bring Arden so we could make the engagement announcement today. If this delay is your ham-fisted way of manipulating me into increasing your financial compensation, it won’t work.”

Despite the seriousness of the moment, I almost laughed. Leave it to my father to assume it was a negotiation tactic.

“What makes you think Arden’s not actually puking her guts out?”