Total pages in book: 140
Estimated words: 137433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 687(@200wpm)___ 550(@250wpm)___ 458(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 687(@200wpm)___ 550(@250wpm)___ 458(@300wpm)
I blink at her innocently. “You’re a fast packer.”
When we land in California, I don’t even bother to visit home first.
There’ll be time for that later. As requested, Dad left me the Tesla parked at the airport, along with the key.
Bailey spends the entire drive staring at me with a mixture of suspicion and excitement.
“This is not the way to our houses,” she says when I pass both turns into the gated community of El Dorado.
“Very perceptive.” I pat her thigh lightly, immediately getting a semi. Fuck military life. “You’ve always been incredibly smart.”
“You’re dodging.” She narrows her eyes.
“See? Insightful and quick-witted.”
“Lev.”
“That’s my name.”
“It’s also going to be your most important organ, dumped on the car floor if you don’t tell me where you’re taking me.”
We pass by downtown. More gated communities. The library.
“Do you really think the heart is the most important organ in the human body? I mean, it is, don’t get me wrong, but you also can’t function without your lungs or liver. Yet they don’t get even half the glory—”
“Lev!” Bailey laugh-yells in frustration. “Where’re we going?”
“It’s a surprise.”
“I hate those.”
True story. Bailey thrives when in control. But she’ll have to indulge me, just this time.
“Well, you love me, so suck it up, buttercup.”
Ten minutes later, we’re in our spot in the woods.
Now, this part required some preparation. Dad and Knight had to pull some strings. Get some work done. They cleaned up the canvas, hung light strings from tree to tree, and brought a generator to make the place look like something out of a fairy tale.
The combo between dusk and the lights really brings out the magic of our secret spot. Or maybe I’m just feeding myself some bull crap to convince myself she’ll say yes.
I lead her by the hand and watch as her face lights up at the sight of our spot.
“Lev!” She turns to hug me. “This is wonderful.”
“You’re wonderful,” I reply gruffly. Sulkily. I’m a little nervous, okay?
“Who did all this?” She looks around.
“Dad and Knight. They owed me.”
“For what?” she asks with a smile, exploring our beautiful surroundings. What is she, the CIA?
“I dunno, existing.” I glance around. “hm, you’re getting away from me. Come back here.”
I’m really nailing this, aren’t I?
But I’m stressed. And hopeful. And fuck, my entire life is on the line here.
Bailey turns around, looking alarmed and a little amused. She ambles over to me, resting a hand over my shoulder with a smile. “I’m here.”
“Good. Stay this way. No wandering off.”
“Why are you sweating, baby?” She grins.
Because I might have my heart destroyed in about thirty seconds.
I gather her face in my hands like it’s precious diamonds and glide the tip of my nose over hers. I’m not going down on one knee. She already knows I’d crawl for her.
“Bailey. You’re my one. You’re my only. You’re my everything. Life without you was something I’ve tasted for a short time, and it was by far the worst of my life. If there’s one thing my mom taught me before she passed away, it is that time is too rare to spend away from the one you love. Our doves are gone—and not by accident. We don’t need them anymore. There’s something else to remind us we’re in it for forever—us. So make me the luckiest motherfucker on planet earth and say yes.”
Slipping Mom’s engagement ring out of my pocket, I hold it between us, staring deep into Bailey’s eyes. Dad initially refused to give away anything of Mom’s—especially the ring he gave her—but I reminded him the kind of shit he put me through and added that at least with Bailey wearing it, he’d be able to have it in front of his eyeballs all the time and be reminded of her and the love they shared. I think it’s the latter that convinced him.
But Bailey still hasn’t said yes.
She is looking at me now with an expression I’ve never seen before. Then she does something I wasn’t expecting.
She punches me in the chest. “Lev!”
Oh shit. “What?”
“I thought you’d never ask!”
I blink, confused. “So…is that a yes?”
“It’s a heck yes!” She rips the ring from between my fingers, putting it on. She doesn’t even look at it. She doesn’t even care about the diamond. God, I love this girl. “I love you!”
“I love you too. Now, Dove?”
“What?”
“Stay very still and give me a kiss.”
Bailey
“Oh my Marx, Bailey. This ring is obscene! So huge. So flashy. I love it.” Daria clutches my hand in a death grip, drooling all over my engagement ring. We’re having dinner after a long day of skiing. Last time I went to Jackson Hole, I was at the height of my addiction.
I still find this place triggering, but not as much as Lev obviously suspects I do, since he keeps throwing me his golden retriever glances, making sure that I’m okay.