Page 96 of Vengeful Lies

“Thank you, that means a lot to me.”

Shifting his hand to trace it over the curve of her bottom, he stroked it for a moment. “I thought you already learned your lesson about not having to say thank you for the most basic things.”

She giggled and nuzzled her face against his neck. “Maybe I need another lesson.”

“Maybe you do, sassy girl.” The enormity of the coming changes in his life filled him with an uncharacteristic excitement. “I can't believe I get to start planning the perfect proposal.”

“Cade,” she said seriously, taking his face between her hands. “There’s no such thing. My ex flew me to Paris and proposed at the top of the Eiffel Tower. At the time, I thought it was so romantic but it was only for show. He didn't love me. It’s not about trying to do it perfectly, it’s about us loving each other and wanting to be together forever.”

Gabriella was right. It was a gorgeous fall day, and the backyard was already a riot of autumnal color. They could go build a fire in the fire pit, make S’mores, and he could propose to Gabriella, and they could both give Essie the locket.

What could be more perfect than being with his girls, in their home, doing something they loved?

“You're right, sweetheart. Go grab your coat, and get Essie to put hers on too, then meet me outside in fifteen minutes.” That should be plenty of time to get prepared.

“You don’t mean you're going to?—”

“I most certainly do,” he assured her. Her face was so soft as she looked at him, and there was so much love, tenderness, and affection in her eyes, that his heart squeezed in his chest. He was one lucky guy.

“I love you, Cade.”

“Love you back, sweetheart.”

After sharing a kiss, Gabriella headed off for the family room, and he headed upstairs to retrieve the ring he’d ordered while Gabriella was in the hospital. Just as he retrieved it from where he’d hidden it in his nightstand drawer, his phone rang. Almost absently he answered it when he saw Jake’s number.

“What’s up?” he asked.

“My gym just got set on fire, and my best friend and I are trapped inside.”