Page 106 of In Good Company

I look up at him, my eyes welling with unshed tears. I don’t know how he’s so good at giving gifts, but I appreciate it beyond words. It’s so thoughtful I don’t even know what to say to him.

Luckily, he saves me from attempting to come up with the right words to properly show how much I love and appreciate the gift.

He gently lifts the necklace from the box and holds it in front of my eyes. The diamond sparkles underneath the closet light, showcasing just how stunning the piece of jewelry is.

Cal focuses on the necklace as well, his lips turning up in a half smile. “It’s a heart because, like my heart, it’s yours to keep forever, Lucy baby.”

I try to blink to stop my tears from falling and ruining my makeup, but it’s no use. A single tear runs down my cheek as my heart swells with love for the man standing in front of me.

“It’s perfection,” I manage to get out through my clogged throat. I look at him and hope my face conveys how thankful I am for him and the gift. “I love you so much, babe.”

This makes him smile even wider. “I love you too. Now, turn around so I can put this on you, and you can show everyone tonight that my heart is yours.”

I do as he instructs, turning to see our reflection in the mirror once again. He slowly places the necklace around my neck and fastens it.

For a few seconds, we both just stare at the piece of jewelry on me. It’s cold and heavy against my skin, proof of just how large the diamond is. I have no idea when he bought this, but I don’t even want to think about how much he spent on it.

“It’s beautiful,” I marvel, carefully touching the diamond. I feel like I shouldn’t be allowed to wear something so nice.

“You’re beautiful,” Cal responds, his hands finding my hips. “There’s one more thing,” he whispers, pressing a kiss to my shoulder.

“Yes?”

“Our friends have been waiting in the driveway for ten minutes.”

I gasp, hurriedly turning toward him and looking at him with wide eyes.

“What?” I ask in shock, my eyes scanning the closet for the purse I want to bring tonight. Of course, I have to go with the small Chanel bag he bought me not too long ago. I begin to stuff lip gloss and other touch-up items in the bag. “How come you didn’t tell me that? They’re going to be upset we’ve made them wait.”

He laughs, handing me my phone that I was just about to start looking for. I make sure I don’t have any missed calls before stuffing it into the bag as well. “They’re not going to be upset, I promise. The limo probably has the nicest champagne possible, and I’m sure they’re just enjoying everyone being together again.”

I hope his words are true as I take one last look in the mirrorbefore running as fast as I can in heels to the front door. Just like he said, a long black limousine is parked in our driveway.

“Finally!” Charlotte calls from the sunroof.

Emma’s head pops out next to hers. “Were you guys getting in a pre-event quickie?” she yells.

I blush, shaking my head at how unfiltered Emma is as I make my way to the limo. I can feel Cal following me closely.

“Someone didn’t tell me you were waiting for us, or I would’ve finished getting ready quicker,” I toss out, looking over my shoulder and giving Cal a playful look.

All he does is shrug. “You can’t rush perfection.”

His words make me smile. I turn back around, nearing the limo. As soon as I get close, the driver opens the door for me.

I slide inside, smiling at all of our friends waiting for us. Cal was right—most of them are holding champagne flutes, careless smiles on their faces as we get in.

“Sorry for making you guys wait,” I mutter sheepishly, sliding into the seat next to Jude.

He swats at the air. “No big deal. We were having fun.” His eyes find Charlotte as she stops hanging out of the sunroof and takes her spot on the other side of him.

“Let’s do this!” she cheers excitedly, clapping as the limo begins to pull away. “I can’t wait to experience this Black-Tie Event as a guest.”

I give her a smile, feeling equally as giddy as she does.

Everyone breaks into their own side conversations as the limo heads to the event. I probably look crazy to anyone looking at me, but I can’t wipe the smile from my face as I look around.

I swallow back happy tears as I think back to the beginning of the summer. My only friend was Charlotte. I worked all the time and didn’t know what it was like to find a family outside of my own. My eyes skirt over the people that I’ve gotten to know as summer passed by. Some I’m closer with than others, butthey’re all people who contributed to the best summer of my life. Charlotte, Jude, Beck, Margo, Emma, Preston, Ryker, Camille, Winnie, Archer, all people I’ve grown closer to.

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