Page 102 of Guarding the Singer

William looked back at her and the millions of dollars in jewelry she was wearing around her neck and in her ears.

"Will. Look at me."

"I am-"

She shifted on the seat beside him and reached out her hands.

When he felt her hands on his, he looked down at their joined hands. "I didn't think it would make a difference to me, you know? The differences between us when it comes to-"

"Money?"

He nodded.

"This?" She touched her fingertips to her necklace and then her earrings. "These? They were borrowed. They're pretty, but when I wear them, I'm panicked. Even right now, no matter how good I know I look in this gown and with these jewels, the item that I'm wearing that means the most to me? Is this ring."

She lifted it and a passing streetlight created a halo around the diamond in the ring.

"This is so special to me, because it's from you."

"I wonder if I'll ever deserve you."

She turned to him, her eyes full of love. "Just love me, Will. That's all I'll ever need. As long as I have you, everything else is extra. What we have together? That's the real treasure of my life."

"I love you, Sel. So damn much it makes my heart hurt thinking about it."

"And I love you, Will. In your arms, I feel like I can do anything."

"You could be anything you want, Sel. Anything."

"Good. I just want to be yours. That's all I need."

He smiled at her and she felt love filling the space between them. "You've got me forever, Sel."

She put her hand back in his and they sat in companionable silence until they arrived at the theater.

The tuxedo-clad attendant who opened her door gave her a knowing look as she stepped out.

"Badger! You're here!"

"Of course I would be. I wanted to see the movie and they offered me a job opening doors."

Selene fought off the urge to roll her eyes as she took his hand and saw his smile widen.

"Seriously, you're coming inside, right?"

He shrugged as he closed the door while William made his way around the car to her side.

"Don't worry," Badger gave her a smile. "I havea ticket. I just wanted to be outside and get a chance to see you in your dress. You look incredible."

Impulsively, she reached out and hugged him. More flashes went off in the crowd and Evander stepped back, grinning from ear to ear. "This could get interesting."

William leaned in on her other side and made a 'shooing' motion with his hand. "Back off, Brit. She's mine."

Selene lifted her left hand to show their friend. "He put a ring on it."

She got a kiss on her cheek from Evander and took William's offered arm so they could walk down the red carpet.

She took his arm and saw his smile widen. "Ready to smile for the cameras?"

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