Page 6 of The Square Up

Her eyes twinkle. “Damn, you’re smart. I’ll never forget that kiss.”

“Me either,” I say honestly.

“When is the reunion?”

“Tomorrow. My family owns a huge house on Ogunquit Beach. We’ll be surrounded by over a hundred Robinsons. Are you sure you want to subject yourself to the scrutiny?”

“One thousand percent.” I put my arm around her. “Now, I want you to go online and order something to wear from the boutique in the downstairs lobby. They’ll deliver it right to the apartment. And I want you to put it on my AmEx. Oh, and make sure you get a pair of shoes, too. The ones you showed up in last night don’t match.” I laugh.

“They don’t? Oh my God. I left the house in shoes that don’t match. I had no idea. And there’s no reason for you to pay for it. I’m quite financially secure.”

“Bright eyes, I know I don’t. But I want to. Please let me. Once you have a new outfit, we’ll pick out your engagement ring.”

“What?” She steadies herself against the counter. “You’re going to buy me a ring?”

“Yes. My fiancée is going to have the perfect ring.”

When she smiles at me, there’s a strange sensation in my chest. “I want to spoil my girl.”

Her cheeks turn a bright pink. “Monogamy suits you.”

Funny, I was just thinking the same thing.

Chapter Four

Abigail

We walk into the Luxe jewelry store in downtown Portland, holding hands. People keep taking out their phones and snapping pictures.

“Does this happen to you all the time?” I lean in to whisper.

“Sometimes,” he smiles down at me. “But today? It’s because of the stunning woman holding my hand.”

My heart skips a beat at the sincerity in his tone. “Babe, you’ve got to stop spoiling me.”

“Never going to happen, bright eyes.”

“Mr. Nash, welcome to Luxe. My name is Stanley. It will be an honor to assist you in finding something special today.” A starstruck salesman rushes over, so eager to make a big salethathe’s sweating.

“Perfect,” Kade moves to the center of the store. “Where are your biggest engagement rings?”

Stanley nearly faints with excitement. “Right this way.”

I hate to admit it, but there’s a ripple of excitement running through me. Stanley takes us to the back of the store, where a large display case gleams under bright lights. As we get closer, the gems seem to dance, casting tiny rainbows across the sleek glass surface. My heart races as the brilliance of radiant stones sparkle.

“Bright eyes, is there a cut you prefer?” Kade leans over the case.

A wave of guilt hits me. What are we doing? I hook my arm through his. “Babe, can we talk for aminute?”

Stanley clears his throat. “You talk, and I will go open a bottle of Cristal to celebrate this momentous occasion.”

I wait for Stanley to leave, then turn to Kade. “I don’t think we should do this,” I whisper. “It’s a really bad idea.”

“Bright eyes,” he cups my face in his hands. “We are doing this.” He presses his mouth to mine. “I want to do this.”

He kisses me so hard, so deep, that I sigh, “You’re an excellent kisser.”

“You’re worth kissing.” He pulls me in for a hug.

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