Page 120 of A Much Younger Man
“Yes,” he said between kisses. “Yes. I’d be happy to marry you, except we’re signing the world’s most preemptive prenuptial agreement. I don’t want your shit, Lindy. I only want you.”
“Too bad. Cause you’re getting my shit anyway.”
“We’ll see about that. I never want anyone to say I married you for your cash or your status. Only you, Lindy. You’re all that matters.”
“You matter to me too. So much.”
The sound of footsteps scraping over the stairs leading to the beach came nearer as my parents made their way down to the sand.
“Hey, you,” Dad called cheerfully. “Do we need a hose?”
“He said hose…” That broke Beck up all over again. He rolled off me, laughing hysterically while my Dad looked on with amusement and my mother blotted her eyes.
“If that wasn’t a yes, then—”
My mother froze. “Wait. What was a yes?”
“I have news!” I got clumsily to my feet. “My beloved Beck has agreed to marry me.”
She turned to my father. “You knew?You knewhe was going topropose, and you didn’t tell me?”
“He asked me not to.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Do not think for one single second that this will be the last time we talk about this. I am not even wearing the cutest dress I brought.”
“You look lovely as always, my dear.” Dad kissed her hands.
“Nuh-uh. Don’t even.”
I’d paid the bartender to stash an ice bucket with champagne and four flutes behind the boulder before dinner, and I hoped no one else had found it first. What I found was the champagne, a basket of cookies, and four perfectly dipped chocolate-covered strawberries.
“A toast, then.” Mom got out her camera. “Let’s get a picture of the grooms-to-be.”
I took the ring out of the box and placed it on Beck’s finger. Platinum with sapphires that matched his eyes. Maybe that was the pedantic part. “I am so glad you and Callie drifted into my life. You’re the best thing that has ever happened to me. I will love you for the rest of my life.”
“Me too. For always.” With tears flowing, Beck made a fist and thumped his chest. “My heart knew we belonged to each other. Just took you a while to believe it, huh?”
“I do believe. Now and forever.”
He wiped his tears with one hand and shoved the flash drive at me with the other.
“But slow your roll, Batman. Take this back. We need to talk about it. No one is going to call me agold digger.I’m getting my own lawyer, and you’re not going to know what hit you.”
I laughed. My parents looked shocked.
Beck crossed his arms, then switched them so he could look at the ring I’d given him.
“I said I don’t want your shit, and I don’t. Except this. This I totally want.”
“Okay.” Dad popped the cork like a pro. “Who’s ready for champagne?”
“Ooh, cookies.” Mom went right for a white chocolate macadamia nut.
“Truce on the trust, for now?” I asked, holding out a chocolate-covered strawberry. It was an idiot move because as soon as he wrapped his lips around the fruit, our little G-rated party got steamier. Between the ring on his finger and watching him devour that strawberry, I wanted to find the nearest bed. “You are delectable.”
He chewed thoughtfully before turning worshipful eyes my way. “If you say so.”
That little brat.
