by Lauren Layne
Her hand went to her mouth as she registered the solitaire diamond ring encased in the middle of the ice.
She whirled toward Kennedy, but he was already on his knee, smiling up at her with a cocky, confident smile. Which was probably fair, considering he was already wearing her ring. He hadn’t taken it off since the night she’d given it to him. The guys occasionally gave him crap for having a “guy’s engagement ring,” but he only ever smiled.
“Told you I’d get my proposal my way.” Without looking away, he tilted his head toward the ring in the ice. “Marry me?”
Her heart felt like it was bursting from her chest as she grinned down at the only man she’d ever loved. “Yes. All in.”
Kennedy smiled wider as he stood and wrapped her in a hug that lifted her off her feet. Their friends clapped and cheered around them, but as Kennedy lowered her back to the ground, his word was just for her. “Checkmate.”
She looked up at him. “Really? What did you win?”
Kennedy’s eyes were warm and adoring as they locked on hers. “Your heart.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
It takes a village to turn a story into a book. To my village, you know who you are, and I’m more grateful than I can possibly express.
Special shout-out to my editor, Kristi Yanta, for rearranging your entire life to fit revisions for this book in your schedule. I could not (and would not) write it without you, so Kate, Kennedy, and I are immensely grateful!
To Maria Gomez and the rest of the spectacular Montlake team for working all of your usual magic.
And of course, to my readers, for making any and all of this possible.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo © Anthony LeDonne
Lauren Layne is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen novels, including Hot Asset, Hard Sell, and Huge Deal in her 21 Wall Street series. Her books have sold more than a million copies in nine languages. Lauren’s work has been featured in Publishers Weekly, Glamour, the Wall Street Journal, and Inside Edition. She is based in New York City. For the latest updates, be sure to check out her website at www.laurenlayne.com, and follow her on Instagram @laurenlayneauthor.
