Page 63 of Quiet Chaos

“I take it you like it?”

She drops onto her feet, nuzzles her face into my chest, and says, “I love you.” Sky looks up at me. “I can’t believe you planned this weekend.” She narrows her eyes. “Is it a holiday I’m unaware of?” I kiss her nose and shake my head. “Do you have a second birthday?” I respond the same way. “Then why?”

I hug her. “Do I need a reason to spend a weekend alone with my girlfriend?”

She takes a step back and squints at me. “No, but it’s not like you.” She perks up. “Not that I’m not appreciative, because I am…”

I take her hand and we move onto the balcony. She leans on the railing while I stand behind, arms on each side of her, resting my chin on her shoulder.

“This is so romantic, Cade.”

“And we have a hot tub.”

She pushes her butt into me.

“Watch it, Sky, or we’re never leaving this room.”

She hugs me and says, “Let’s look around.”

By the reception desk, she skims over the information, asking if we can do the communal dining tomorrow evening. It’s an outdoor meal for the other people from the resort. I plan to ask her to marry me tomorrow, and there’s no way in hell I’m doing it in front of a bunch of strangers.

“I planned something a little more private. We can eat at the restaurant tonight. Is that okay?”

“Sure, Cade.”

Damn, I can’t believe how adorably, sweet she is, willing to give up something she wants for the sake of another’s happiness. I hope my proposal will make up for it.

She shuffles through the brochure, exclaiming, “Oh, they have a spa. Let’s get a massage.”

I give her a pained look. “Are you sure you want to do a massage?”

Her lower lip pushes out. “You don’t want to?”

I take the brochure from her, slip it in my back pocket, and say, “How about I give you a massage in the hot tub, and if you want another one, I’ll book it for you?

She nods with a smile. Sky’s killing me with her easy-going nature and willingness to do what I want.

I kiss her temple, and state, “They have morning guided hikes. Would you like to do that?”

Sky pumps her arm upwards with ayes.

“I booked a stargazing for tonight led by an astronomer.”

“Now you’re talking.”

Sky isn’t ready to eat, so we go up to the room and I pour myself a bourbon. Sitting on the balcony, she closes her eyes, hums, as we listen to the gurgling river below.

“So, Sky, I wanted to talk to you about something.”

Her head tilts toward me, and she raises her eyebrows. “Cade, talk? What have you done with my Cade?”

I point my finger at her. “That’s what I want to talk to you about. Your Cade.”

“Huh?”

My finger runs along the rim of my glass. “We’re a couple now, so from the club’s point of view, it would make you my Old Lady.”

Her face scrunches. “I don’t like that word.”

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