Page 65 of The Enemies With Benefits Deal

I want this trip to show her how much she means to me. She’s the best thing in my life, and I need her to see that.

Which is why I turn down the street that leads to the little rooftop bar I took her to the first time we were in Paris.

She presses closer to my side, a smile stretching across her face. “You know, I didn’t peg you for a romantic.”

I scoff and twirl her beneath my arm before pulling her into me. “I resent that. I am a very romantic man.”

When she laughs, it sends a warmth spreading through me. I spent twelve years without that laugh, and I know I’m never going to spend another day without it.

Grinning, I walk with her over to the rooftop bar, leading her up the stairs and through the doors. “I booked the place tonight, so nobody should be here to bother us.”

She grins and lets go of my hand to look out at the Eiffel Tower as it lights up with the setting sun.

The dusky blue sky with the shining tower is perfect for the moment I’ve been waiting for all day.

I slide my hand into my pocket as I walk up behind her. “It’s a beautiful night.”

She leans into me, her eyes shutting for a moment before she stares out over the city again. “It really is. I’m glad we came out here.”

“I am, too.”

With a deep breath, I pull the ring out of my pocket and kneel beside her.

Jade’s hands fly to her mouth, tears shining in her eyes. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“Proposing to you in the spot where I realized that you were going to change my life in the best way possible, even if I didn’t want to admit it at the time.”

She laughs and shakes her head. “You’re insane, Grayson. Yes, I’ll marry you.”

“You didn’t even let me ask,” I say, tone teasing as I hold out the ring and look up at her. “I had a speech all prepared and everything. I was going to tell you how much I love you and how much my life wouldn’t be the same without you.”

Her hand shakes as she holds it out for me. The diamond glitters against the gold band as I slide it onto her finger.

“You don’t have to make a huge speech.” She throws her arms around me as I stand, pulling me into a tight hug. “I would accept your proposal in my living room wearing sweatpants.”

“I know you would have.” I cup her face in my hands and take my time kissing her, savoring the moment for as long as possible before the applause and cheering starts.

Jade jerks back from me and looks around as our parents and friends pour out of their hiding places.

She looks up at me with wide eyes. “Did you plan all of this?”

I grin. “Why else would we be going on a cruise tonight? We’re going to have a couple drinks here, and then dinner is going to be served on the boat. And then after that, I’m going to pass out.”

Jade laughs and throws her arms around me again. “I love you, Grayson.”

“I love you, too.” I kiss her temple and hug her tight. “Now, go show off your ring to your mom before she comes over here and gives both of us hell over buying her that house last week.”

With a blush, Jade nods and scurries off to show off the ring to her mom and the rest of our friends.

Dad approaches me, clapping a hand on my back. “I’m proud of you, Grayson. The two of you are going to have a very happy life together. Just like I always knew you would.”

“Always, huh?”

He smirks and shrugs. “Who do you think gave Jade’s number to Victoria?”

“You’ve got to be kidding me. Was that bit about working with influencers just to get everyone going?”

“I remembered how happy you were when she was in your life the first time. I figured the worst that could happen by putting on a show and asking her for help was that the two of you decided you still wanted nothing to do with each other.”

---