Chapter 303

“I get it,” Hayden said.

I was so exasperated I laughed. “Now I understand why you’re still single in your thirties—you’re way too boring!”

“You think I’m boring?” he asked softly.

I thought about his less-than-smooth flirting attempts and smiled. “I mean, you’re not exactly Mr. Smooth-Talker.”

Hayden was quiet for a few seconds. “I always figured sweet-talking was just fancy lying.”

I blinked, surprised. That was…different.

“Do you want me to sweet-talk you?” he asked.

I mean, who doesn’t like flattery? But it should be genuine, not a fake act like Jace’s.

“Nah, just be yourself,” I said, snuggling closer. “You’re kinda perfect just the way you are.”

“If I proposed, would you say yes?” Hayden unexpectedly brought up marriage.

I hadn’t considered it, and blurted out, “You haven’t even asked.”

He took my hand, pulled it from under the covers, and played with my fingers. “Kiki, will you marry me?”

I snorted. “Seriously? This is your proposal?”

“It’s not exactly a proposal, but yeah, kinda,” Hayden replied, making me want to smack him.

I never pictured my first proposal like this. I’d always imagined Jace, down on one knee, not Hayden casually popping the question in bed. Thinking about proposals reminded me of Jace’s planned amusement park proposal—a grand gesture I’d missed. Pictures later surfaced online.

“Hayden, do you really think you can win me over with just a few words? A real proposal needs at least flowers and a ring…” Before I finished, he lifted my hand.

I saw a ring sparkling on my finger. My jaw dropped. There was no way he’d just put it on.

“I slipped it on last night. I asked if you wanted to wear it, and you nodded,” he said, looking pleased.

“That’s not fair! I was asleep! How can that even count?” I smacked him lightly.

“I know, that’s why I’m asking now,” Hayden said, tracing the ring. “Will you marry me?”

If I said yes immediately, I’d seem too easy. So, I glanced at the ring with mock disdain. “Hayden, if you’re serious, at least put in some effort. Did you just grab some old family heirloom?”

He was quiet, then said softly, “It is. It was my mom’s. She said it was for her future daughter-in-law.”

I froze, feeling like an idiot. “I’m sorry, I was just joking. I didn’t mean—”

“It’s okay,” he interrupted, smiling gently. “This one’s from my mom to you. I’ve got another one from me.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. “Then I’ll wait for your ring before I give you an answer.”

He chuckled. “So that’s a yes?”

I pouted, wanting to say no, but didn't want him to misinterpret. “You don’t even have the ring yet. How could that be a yes?”

“You’re so stubborn,” Hayden muttered before kissing me.

The kiss deepened, until his phone rang. He pulled back, breathless and blushing. “You should probably get that.”

He brushed my cheek, silenced his phone, and tossed it aside.