Page 28 of Omega's Pretend Mate
“You’d do that?”
“Of course.”
He smiled and leaned against me. “Thank you.”
I kissed his hair. “Never be ashamed of who you are, and what you know. Ok? We all have different life experiences.”
He nodded, then the sommelier appeared with two glasses and a bottle of wine.
I steered the conversation to lighter topics, having learned that while my omega enjoyed the perks of his money, he didn’t like to talk about it. But he was always happy to gush about whatever book he’d read last, or the storyline of some video game he’d started playing.
Louis thrilled us with each course, and I noticed plenty of eyes on us as we received special attention all night.
The more people who saw us, the better. In a place like this it was possible that people with connections to Gabe’s family were present, and word of a memorable proposal would be ideal to reach their ears. But even without that, I was sure that a proposal at the chef’s table in such an exclusive restaurant would go quite a ways in proving to his family that I was worthy of him.
Louis brought out two dessert plates with a flourish, while the sommelier followed with two glasses of champagne.
It was time.
I slid from my seat, knelt next to Gabe, and pulled the ring box from my pocket.
“Gabe, for years I only knew you as a young and capable attorney at work. During that time I admired you from afar, but always felt that I wasn’t worthy of a man such as you.”
The hush in the restaurant told me that all eyes had turned to us. I took a deep breath.
“I felt like the luckiest alpha in the world when you let me take you to dinner for that first date, and every time I’m with you I have to fight the urge to pinch myself in disbelief. I know it may be fast, but I already can’t imagine my life without you in it.”
I paused, smiling as I saw tears at the edges of Gabe’s eyes.
“Gabe Everest, will you make me the happiest man alive by becoming my husband and mate?”
Gabe wiped his eyes, then launched himself at me.
I caught him in my arms and held him close as he nodded into my neck.
“Of course I will!” he said.
I nuzzled the side of his face until I could kiss him, and like every other time our lips touched, he melted into it. Then I helped him back onto his seat and slid the ring onto his finger.
“Well, what did he say?” asked a voice on the other side of the dining room. “We couldn’t hear.”
Laughter rang through the restaurant as Gabe stood and showed off the gleaming ring.
“I said yes!” he declared.
The dining room erupted in applause, and I stood to kiss him again.
A twinge of guilt curled through me. All these people were so excited to see the proposal, and it was all for show. They were only the first of the people we’d be lying to.
My family would be devastated at the eventual divorce.
But I couldn’t bring myself to put an end to it. The more I was around Gabe the more determined I was to see him happy, even if it hurt me and everybody else in the end.
I loved him, and would give up everything for him.
Chapter 9 - Gabe
Istared at the ring on my finger, and the way the light reflected off it. Each color in the braid design had its own unique character and invited me to follow the pattern all the way around.
