Page 610 of Dark Love

***

Mom sits down next to me a few hours later. “Maverick’s family is nice. I didn’t realize it was this large. We’re going to need both ballrooms to hold everyone.”

“Mom.”

“What? You’re not worrying, are you? They love you. Was Lulu serious about that knife-throwing thing?”

Maverick wasn’t kidding about these people being a little different. This house… mansion has at least twenty marble statues in the backyard alone. An artist went wild with colors and textures inside. It’s a visual wonderland. “Um… I think so.”

“Could you arrange some lessons for me?”

And that’s why we’re so perfect together. “Probably.”

“Good. Now, when are you planning to make that cheesecake?”

“I brought it with me today.” Maybe Maverick will get the hint.

“To a party! What if he doesn’t get a piece?”

“You don’t need to worry. They haven’t served dessert yet.” Though the butterflies in my belly seem to think the cheesecake will work instantaneously.

“Dahlia Prudence Fleur, you can’t take risks like that with your future. Go get him a slice right now. I want a grandbaby next year.” She shoos me away.

This relationship thing is hard.

***

Maverick got caught by a cluster of muscled men that should be on the cover of some war magazine entitledSexy But Deadly.They wouldn’t be able to keep it on the shelves. Women would buy them out just to stare at the pretty men.

Without a word, I slide up to Maverick’s side. He gives me a peck on the forehead and puts an arm around my shoulder.

Everything about this feels right. How could my life have changed so much from the four walls locking me inside the horrors of my own mind to the beauty of this?

“What is that you’ve got there?” Lulu’s husband Matthew asks.

“A piece of brownie cheesecake.”

“Sounds delicious. May I try it?”

“No.” I pull the piece away to protect it without thinking. Even if he’s married, the power of this cheesecake exceeds reason or logic. “I got this for Maverick.”

The men laugh like I said something off the wall.

Maverick turns to face me, barely glancing down at the plate in my hand. “Is this part of your food rules?”

I blush and shrug. “Kind of.”

“I love you.”

Two little kids run by us giggling.

“I love you too.”

“Marry me.”

What?

“This isn’t how I planned it. And I don’t have a ring yet. It’s being made. But I don’t want to wait. I want to marry you now and start our forever.”

---