Page 85 of Beauty Of Her

I glanced at the room, still cluttered with tools and construction materials. Panic washed over me as I realized how far I had to go in transforming this space into a suitable setting for such an important moment. But I refused to let my doubts overshadow my determination.

With each passing minute, I pushed myself harder, working tirelessly to clear away the remnants of our ongoing project. Beads of sweat dripped down my forehead as I moved like a wild caveman, rearranging furniture, hanging drapes, and setting up candles. Julia's earlier moodiness added another layer of worry to my already chaotic state of mind. I hoped she wasn't pushing herself too hard to appease my plans.

“Shit, Brett,” said Zoe from behind as I crouched under the dining room table, scrubbing away white dust.

“Language, Zoe!”

“Please. I’m thirteen.”

“Yeah? And I’m too old for this shit.” I stretched beyond my capability to retrieve an old rubber band or whatever the fuck this was, triggering a blinding cramp in my side. Groaning on the floor, clutching my side, there was no way I was going to be able to sit up straight later.

“Look who’s saying bad words now,” Zoe taunted.

“Are you going to just stand there or help me out?” I twisted around, taking Zoe’s athletic attire, nowhere near dinner-ready. “And when are you going to change for dinner?”

“We have, like, a few hours.” She stepped closer and crouched to my level. “Why don’t you just ask Mom now?” The girls knew the plan and surprisingly could keep the big secret.

I glanced up at Zoe, trying to ignore the throbbing pain in my side. "I want it to be special, you know? I want everything to be perfect."

“Where is the ring?”

“In my pocket.”

“Can I see it?” Zoe popped her eyebrows.

“No, you cannot.” I reached for another dust bunny under the table. How much fucking filth could there be?

“Why not?”

“Because I don’t have a box. It’s loose in my pocket, and I’m convinced it’ll fly out of my hands. You’ll see it tonight.” I winked. “I promise.”

Zoe rolled her eyes playfully. "Fine, keep your secrets. But I hope you know that Mom is going to say yes. She's crazy in love with you, you know?"

A warm smile spread across my face as I thought about Julia. “I’m going up there. I think it’s time.”

Zoe and I exchanged nervous glances. She stayed under the table while I hoisted myself free.

“She has to say yes, right?” I brushed away all the white powder and debris clinging to my black joggers. I stood and shot Zoe a glance. I was going to do it. A sudden urge to pop the question that had been swirling in my head for the last year needed to be addressed. Proposing to Julia seemed perfect as I jammed my hand into my pocket, clinging to the ring. “I’ll let you know how it goes.”

Zoe nodded and smiled. She mouthed, ‘Good Luck.’ “I’ll be in the back with Sara. Let us know when we can come in.”

I nodded at Zoe, trying to calm my racing heart. I darted up the stairs with one last glance at the chaotic dining room. The sound of the shower echoed from our newly renovated master bathroom. I sauntered into the bathroom, pushing its door open. I found Julia leaning against the subway-tiled wall as the steam filled the air and warm jets of water danced across her golden skin. Her eyes stayed closed as the water pelted her face, and she ran her soapy hands through her thick brown hair. Streams of liquid ran off her body, dripping from her nipples, completely oblivious to my hungry stare. She was so fucking perfect.

“Hey, there,” I said before I bit my cheek. Smooth, Brett…not.

Julia's eyes fluttered open at the sound of my voice, a soft smile spreading across her face as she registered my presence. Her glistening eyes met mine through the foggy mist, her skin glowing under the pale bathroom lights.

"Hey yourself," she murmured, pushing wet strands away from her face. Her eyes caught mine with an intimate familiarity, making my pulse thrumming in my ears. She held my gaze as she stepped out from under the shower stream, droplets clinging to her bare skin, her body glistening.

I glanced around, a comfortable silence hanging in the air as I took in the beauty of her. My heart hummed a rhythm of adoration for this woman standing before me—strong, beautiful, and unguarded. She was the epitome of sheer vulnerability mixed with raw strength.

“How’s your stomach feeling?” I nodded to her flat abdomen, wishing I could trace my tongue down its center, not stopping until I reached the apex of her thighs.

“So much better.” Julia wiped the excess water spilling across her eyes. “That’ll teach me to eat supermarket sushi.” She winked because said sushi was from my supermarket.

I laughed, though. Nothing Julia said could make me turn sour. Not now, not ever. With my heart pounding and nerves on overdrive, I closed the space between us. Julia’s soft laughter faded as she studied my expression. She knew something was coming, but she didn’t know what.

Her brow furrowed as she stared at me. "You okay?" Not missing a beat, she twisted the shower knob off and killed the water. Dribbles of water fell from the nozzle, tapping the white shower floor. She opened the glass door, and I beat her to the towel rack, wrapping Julia’s soaked body in a navy terry cloth towel and hugging her to my body.

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