Page 32 of Proposition 2

“It’s just dinner, then we can leave. I want you to see that I’m serious about you.”

Serious enough that I already had the proposal planned, I was just waiting for the right time. The princess cut diamond solitaire with a matching wrap that made it look like a flower blossom had been commissioned and was almost ready.

Her eyes searched my face before she gave a short nod. Her arms relaxed from the protective embrace around her middle though one hand lingered on her stomach. I knew she’d be nervous throughout the meal, but I’d make sure she was relaxed once we were back at my place.

Stepping out of the car, I came around and opened her door, holding out a hand to her. It hadn’t taken long to convince her to let me do things like that despite her protests that chivalry was ancient, and she was capable. It wasn’t about her ability to do it for herself, it was about me taking care of her.

The clothes had been harder to convince her to take, and she still refused to toss her old things and take them home. She would wear her usual jeans and blouse when she left her house, then go to my suite or office and change into one of the outfits I’d bought her before coming into the club.

I knew she was still hiding the fact that she’d quit the diner from her family, so I didn’t push her on it. If things went the way I planned though, she’d have to tell her family about me soon.

Tucking her hand into the crook of my arm, I led us to the door. We didn’t stand on ceremony with family, so I opened it instead of knocking and waiting for someone to answer.

My parents and little sister were supposed to be the only ones home since I told my father I didn’t want to overwhelm Cadence, but I could hear men’s voices as soon as I opened the door. I almost turned and left, but the sound of my little sister’s voice assured me it wasn’t a dangerous situation. My father was just as protective of her as I was of Cadence.

Walking down through the foyer, we turned into the sitting room where the voices were coming from. Not only were my parents and sister seated inside, so were Dimitri and a woman who appeared to be his daughter.

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