Page 105 of In Good Company

I stare at him in the mirror with a smile on my face. “A gift for me? What’s the occasion?”

“The occasion is you’re back, and I missed you.” He presses a kiss to the base of my neck, making my entire body shiver. He continues to trail kisses along my skin as I attempt to put my earrings in. His skin is soft against mine, something I’m not typically used to.

We’re going to Pembroke Hills tonight for their annual Black-Tie Event. From what I understand, the club goes all out for the evening, and I’m excited to experience it.

It’s my first time back at the club since returning to the Hamptons. After Cal surprised me by visiting, we spent a week getting everything settled for my parents. It was amazing having him at home with me, and I fell even more in love with him as I watched him create a bond with my parents. He eventually had to go to Manhattan for some work while I stayed in Virginia for another week, but we both arrived back in the Hamptons last night, and I can’t wait to see all our friends.

I already miss my parents, but for the first time in forever, I’m at peace being away from them. I know they’re okay, and I don’t feel the same weight I used to when it comes to them. We had a lot of open discussions, and my relationship with them is better than ever.

“What are you thinking about, baby?” Cal asks, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Everything,” I answer, giving him a soft smile through the reflection in the mirror. “I just can’t believe I’m back and that we’re here and everyone’s happy.”

“I’ve never been happier,” he responds, his hands splaying out along my abdomen.

I take time to soak in the moment with him. He’s never looked more handsome than he does right now. He wears a black suit that’s perfectly tailored to his body with a black tie that sticks out against the white button-up he’s paired underneath it.

“I like you in white,” he comments, catching me staring at him through the reflection. I can’t help but stare at him sometimes, still in awe that this man fell in love with me.

“Technically, it’s cream.” I smile, admiring the dress I picked out via FaceTime with Charlotte. I was all the way in Virginia and didn’t have time to pick out a nice dress, and Jude had asked her to be his plus-one for the event, so she was already out dress shopping. When she showed me this one, I fell in love. It’s a cream dress that almost feels like satin. It has a halter neckline and clings perfectly to the small curves I do have.

Cal playfully nibbles at my ear. “I don’t care what it’stechnicallycalled. I love you in white, and now I’m wondering how soon I can get you in a white wedding dress walking down the aisle toward me.”

I roll my eyes at him. “We’ve had one night officially living together. You can’t already be wanting to marry me.”

It was sad to give up my place attached to Mr. Fred’s store, but it was time for me to let someone else rent it. Plus, I was giddy about moving in with Cal.

“Oh, I knew I wanted to marry you from the moment we first kissed,” Cal states matter-of-factly.

“Cal,” I respond, shaking my head. “No, you didn’t.”

He confidently nods in the mirror. His hands move from around my waist, and I miss the warmth from them immediately. I watch him through the mirror as he pulls a small rectangular box from his tuxedo pocket.

I gasp, recognizing it as a jewelry box.

He laughs at my reaction, his eyes finding mine in the mirror. “Don’t worry, Lucy baby, it isn’t a ring…yet. Although, you tell me when you’re ready for a ring, and I’ll buy one immediately. Better yet, we could just skip the engagement altogether and just go straight to being husband and wife.”

“Let’s live together for at least a year before we talk about that,” I tease. I love how much he loves me out loud. He says exactly what he’s thinking, never once making me guess how he feels about me. It’s incredible to be loved by him. I can’t wait to feel it for the rest of my life.

“A year?” he asks, his arms coming around me as he holds the box in front of my face. “I was thinking we could maybe discuss it after…a month?”

I take the box from his hands and turn to face him, not bothering to hide how I roll my eyes at his comment. “Babe, you’re ridiculous.”

“Ridiculously in love with you,” he easily responds, a cocky smirk on his lips.

God, I love this man.

He taps the box in my hands. “Open it.”

I look down at the gift, wondering what’s inside. He already told me it isn’t a ring, but it’s got to be some kind of jewelry by looking at the box. I run my hands along the top, excited to see what’s inside. Softly, I pop open the lid, my breath hitching.

It’s a necklace. The most beautiful necklace I’ve ever seen.

“Cal,” I whisper, my hands shaking as I run my hands over the giant diamond pendant. “This is beautiful.”

I stare at the large diamond that’s in the shape of a heart. The diamond itself is massive and pink, and it sits on a sparkling chain.

“This pink is my favorite shade of pink,” he tells me, his voice thick with emotion. “The same pink your cheeks turn when you blush.”

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