Page 55 of Next Door Billionaire's Surprise Baby

I fumble around inside the box in search of a lighter. After grabbing it, I use it to light up the single candle at the center of the cake, marked with the number ‘26’.

As I’m clearing away the files on the desk, a dull knock sounds on the door.

Okay, here it goes.

It’s been years since I did something like this, so I’m a little nervous.

What if she ends up not liking it?

Forcing the doubts out of my mind, I clear my throat and announce, “Come in!”

The door opens, and Chloe steps inside. Her face is blank, her go-to look for when she’s not happy.

“You sent for me.” Her tone is hard as rocks, and it makes me cringe inside. My poor angel–I made her think I had forgotten about her birthday until now.

I pick up the card and flowers and hold them out to her. With a gentle smile, I say, “Happy birthday.”

Her hands fly up to her mouth in surprise, and she looks back and forth between me and the gifts. Her smile gets wider and wider as she walks toward the table.

I chuckle, still holding out the items, “Did you really think I forgot your birthday?”

She nods passionately, and I start laughing. She retracts her hands from her mouth and reaches out to take the card and flowers. A pleased giggle escapes her lips,

“This is so lovely,” she sighs as she sniffs the flowers. She opens the card to read it, but her eyes fall on the cake on the table.

“Kane!” She gasps and rushes over to pick it up.

I ask, smiling, “Do you like it?”

Chloe looks up with the widest smile and squeals, “I love it!”

“Come on,” I urge, “Make a wish.”

She nods excitedly and closes her eyes, wishing hard for a minute. After she blows out the candle, reopening her eyes to look at me. She glows with happiness, and it stirs up all the loving feelings I have for her.

I’ve loved her since the day I met her over three years ago. And now, after everything we’ve been through – all the insecurities and doubts and fights, I’m willing to confess my feelings for her.

“Here,” I take the cake away from her and set it down for later. I gesture to the card, “Won’t you read what I wrote?”

She wiggles her eyebrows mischievously and smirks, “And learn about all the deepest and darkest fantasies you have about me? Why not?”

She opens the card and glances through it. I watch her read, my heart pounding hard against my ribcage because written on that card is a straightforward declaration of my love for her. My hands go to fiddle with the hem of my sleeves as anxious anticipation knots my stomach.

She lowers the card when she’s done reading, and our gazes hold. Her beautiful icy blue eyes turn teary, and with it, so many raw emotions come out. Her lashes flutter, and she whispers, “I want to hear you say it.”

I don’t miss a beat, “I’m in love with you, Chloe Smith. I love you so much that my heart aches.” At my words, she lifts a hand to place over my left chest where my heart is pulsing madly.

“I know we fight a lot…” we break into emotional laughs, “but you’ve made the biggest impression on me. And that’s why…”

I place my hand on top of hers, “I’m going to ask you officially. Chloe, will you be my girlfriend?”

She gasps and then smiles, “You’re so annoyingly sweet. Of course, I’ll be your girlfriend.”

My heart erupts. I pick her up and twirl her around before kissing her deeply. I let out a sigh of so many things - relief, joy, and love.

Never mind that we’re breaking a code of conduct for this company. Never mind that I’m much older. What’s important is that we have each other, and even though she’s yet to say it back, I know she loves me too.

We remain in our little love bubble for so long that we don’t hear the door open and don’t notice when Tim walks in. His voice is the only thing that jars us back to reality.

---