Page 52 of Pursued By My Grumpy Fiancé
I think over what she’s said. Maybe the perfect proposal for her is something in between. Secluded, tailored just to her, with a public declaration, but still just private enough for it to be intimate. I’ll have to keep that in mind for future purposes.
“I do want to apologize for putting you on the spot that first night. I know that I already have, but now that we’re actually in a relationship, I think it’s important to acknowledge that I made a mistake and messed up. You deserved better than that.” I duck my head in shame.
Hailey laughs, and I fall in love with the sight of her throwing her head back, her perfectly pink lips forming a wide smile as the delightful sound of her hearty laugh releases from within. I quickly whip out my phone and snap a picture of her.
Her laugh dies down and she fixes her sweet smile on me.
“What are you doing?” she asks, shaking her head at me.
I stare at her for a moment, breathless. She gives me a peculiar look, and I recover.
“You’re just so beautiful, Hailey. I wish there were more words to describe the way you make me feel. Everything feels colorful when you’re around me. I didn’t even know what was missing before, and now I don’t want to be without you. I just felt the need to capture this moment, what you looked like in a moment of pure and utter happiness,” I finally say.
She blinks before responding.
“You’re not proposing to me now, are you? I think it’s still too soon for that.” She grins, and I roll my eyes at her.
She scooches towards me on the couch and pulls me into a deep kiss.
I lean into her with a driving passion. She throws her arms around my neck, slipping her tongue into my mouth. My lips move against hers, fueled by a hungry desire. She finally pulls back.
“As much as I’d love to rev this engine again, we have things to do today. Like, visit my mom.” She looks at me expectantly, and I smile.
“Are you inviting me to meet your mother, Ms. Dunn?” I ask teasingly.
She fixes me with one of her enchanting smiles.
“Actually, Mr. Gould, I’m demanding that you meet my mother. She’s been talking about her mystery donor for weeks. I think it’s time that she finally meets my fiancé, the man behind the flowers.” She shoots a glance at me and I playfully throw a hand over my heart.
“The man behind the flowers? Is that all I am?” I give her my best wounded expression.
She rolls her eyes and leans in to press her lips against mine.
“You’ll always be more than that,” she whispers before getting up and giddily running to the bedroom to get ready.
I grin at the sight of her excitement before running off behind her.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Hailey
“See,Itoldyouthat she would like you.” I look at him pointedly and he gives me a huge grin.
We’re at the Oncology Institute, after I decided that it was finally time to introduce him to my mom. I hate having to lie to her, telling her that he’s my fiancé instead of just telling her about our genuine relationship. But, my mom is the biggest gossip that’s ever existed. She could single-handedly bring down the entirety of Hollywood if trusted with the right information.
“Right, right, whatever. Of course you knew, she’s your mom. That’s what I call an unfair advantage.” The elevator dings and he gracefully glides out of it with his hands shoved in his pockets.
A couple of nurses outside of a door giggle as he passes by, making googly eyes at him. I don’t know how he deals with it. I know that he grew up in this life, so maybe it is a little different for him. But it must be so weird to know that everywhere you go, there are people that are looking at you and thinking about you. I shudder as the elevator dings, and quickly press the “door open” button. My thoughts have carried me away with them, and I’ve been standing in the elevator too long. Landon is standing a ways down the hallway, waiting for me with an amused look on his face. I wish, not for the first time, that I could read his mind. What I wouldn’t give to get a glimpse into his head.
My cheeks are furiously red with embarrassment as I bound over to him.
“Do you really like elevators or something?” He smirks as we continue down the hallway towards the cafeteria.
I chew on my lips as I try to think of an excuse to give him before I throw my hands up and decide on the truth.
“I just don’t get how you deal with it,” I say as we approach the cafeteria.
The doors are propped open, revealing a buffet line to the left and tables filling the rest of the space. We head to the line and each grab a tray.
