Page 21 of The Square Up

I brush a lock of hair from her face. “I’ve been thinking…” My voice comes out steady, even though my heart is racing like I’m in the final minutes of a tied game.

“About what?” she asks, her eyes still a little hazy.

“About us,” I say, leaning in closer, needing her to hear every word. “About how I don’t want to wait.”

Her brow furrows. “Wait for what?”

“To marry you.” I let the words hang in the air. “Last night was a close call, baby. I can’t lose you—not now, not ever. The thought of you not being in my life… it crushes me. I want you to know in here,” I gently touch her forehead, “And in here,” I tap her heart. “That you’re the only one for me. I’m committed to you. Now, tomorrow, and for always.”

Her eyes widen, and for a moment, I worry I’ve gone too far. “You want to marry me today?” she asks, her voice barely a whisper.

I nod, my gaze never leaving hers. “Yes. Today. No fanfare, no stress. Just us and the love we have for each other.” I take her hand in mine, pressing it to my chest so she can feel the steady rhythm of my heart. “I don’t want anything else. But if you do—if you want the biggest, most extravagant wedding the world’s ever seen, I’ll make it happen. If you want unicorns, ponies, andfireworks in Paris—it’s yours. Just say the word.”

Tears well up in her eyes, but the smile across her face makes my heart slam against my ribs. “I’ll marry you today, babe.” She cups my jaw, her thumb brushing over my cheek. “I don’t want anything fancy either. Just you.”

Relief crashes over me, and I pull her into my arms, holding her tight against my chest. “You won’t be sorry,” I whisper, my lips brushing against her hair. “I’ll treat you like a princess all the days of my life.”

She laughs that sweet, soft sound that always makes my pulse skip. “I think I could learn to live with that.”

I pull back just enough to kiss her, slow and deep, savoring the feel of her mouth against mine. She’s everything I never knew I needed, and the thought of spending the rest of my life with her… it’s perfect. She’s perfect.

“I’m going to give you the world, Abby. Everything you want, it’s yours.” I kiss the tip of her nose, then her lips again, slowly, this time, relishing how her body melts into mine.

“I don’t need the world,” she whispers against my mouth. “I just need you.”

Chapter Fourteen

Abby

I can’t stop smiling.

I glance in the mirror one more time. The dress Kade picked out for me is perfect. It’s delicate and sweet, withno frills or fuss. I fluff my hair with my fingers, do a last-minute makeup check, and realize there’s nothing left for me to do.

In a few short minutes, it will be just me, Kade, and the moment that will transform our lives.

My heart flutters as I take another deep breath, trying to calm the nerves dancing in my chest. But my nerves are not from fear. I’m excited. Deep in my bones, I now know everything about us is right.

He loves me. And I love him.

It still feels surreal, like I’ve landed in the middle of someone else’s beautiful fantasy. But it’s not someone else’s dream. This is my life, and it’s all very real. The way he looks at meand touches me as if I’m the most precious thing in the world—it’s true love.

And today, we’re making it our forever.

I smooth the fabric of my dress, my fingers trembling slightly, and I can’t help but laugh at my girly self. “Calm down, barracuda,” I giggle, trying to shake off the nerves.

The door to the small chapel Kade found for us creaks open, and my nerves vanish. My heart stops for a second. I take a minute to commit to memory the sight of him standing there, looking so impossibly handsome in a simple black suit, his green eyes locked on me.

“Gorgeous.” He whispers.

My heart soars, singing his name.

My Kade, my Kade, my Kade.

He walks toward me slowly. My breath catches as he takes my hand. His touch issteady, grounding me in a way only he can.

“Hi,” he says, his voice soft but filled with so much love I can barely stand it.

“Hi,” I whisper back, my smile widening.

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