Page 74 of Broken Empire
I nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just a bit tired. I’ll grab a coffee on the way back to the city.”
“Okay. I just worry sometimes,” he said, brows furrowing. “This whole stalker plot… I worry it’ll bring stuff up for you. Stuff from the past.”
“It does, but I use it,” I said. “I remember how it felt when all that stuff was going on a few years ago, and I channel those feelings into the scenes. It helps me get in the zone.”
“As long as you’re okay.” Killian leaned forward and kissed me on top of the head. “You know I’m really proud of you, right? How many people who dream about being famous actors actuallybecomefamous actors?”
My cheeks flushed with warmth. “I’m not the only one,” I said. “Cori just booked that TV gig in LA, and Dionne is doing really well in that Chicago theater show. Also—”
Killian cut my sentence off with a peck on the lips. “Don’t be so modest,” he murmured against my ear when he broke away. “You’re allowed to admit you’re a total badass.”
I gave him a coy smile. “I like it better when you say it.”
“Okay.” He kissed me again, teasingly nibbling at my bottom lip before drawing back. “You’re a fucking badass. The absolute best at everything.”
“Okay, I think my ego has been stroked enough for now.” I grinned up at him. “Should we head off?”
Killian nodded and fished his keys out of his pocket. “I’ve got a surprise for you on the way back.”
“What is it?” I asked, eyes widening.
“I’m not telling you. It’s a surprise,” he said, lips turning up in a playful smile. “Now you know what it’s like to be left in suspense.”
“Wow, it’s like that, huh?” I said, giggling as I followed him to the car.
We settled into a comfortable silence as we headed down the highway. Forty minutes later, Killian turned southeast. I sat up straight and raised my brows. “This is the turnoff to Bellingham,” I said.
“Damn. You figured it out.” Killian smiled and looked over at me. “I promised you a long time ago that we’d visit the lake in the woods behind your old dorm so we could watch the sunset together.” He paused for a beat and went on. “Actually, it was the sunrise that we discussed, but you always say you like sunsets better.”
“I do.” I smiled and leaned my head back on the seat. “So is that the surprise? A picnic at the lake?”
“Yup. I packed all your favorite snacks. They’re in the trunk.”
Right on cue, my stomach grumbled. “Thank god. I’m starving.”
Gothic Revival buildings with spindly towers and carved buttresses began to appear in the distance. I sat up straight again, stomach fluttering at the familiar sight. “I haven’t been back here for ages,” I said wistfully. “Since graduation last year, I think. I kept promising myself I’d come and visit, but I haven’t had the time.”
“Well, you do now.” Killian turned onto the short road leading up to the hulking Bellingham gates. “We’ve got all afternoon and all night to hang out and relax. I even brought a blanket in case you want to have a nap by the lake. Candles, too, if we end up staying after sunset.”
I let out a satisfied groan. “That sounds amazing.”
We parked at Rosewood Hall, right under my old dorm window. The parking lot was strewn with familiar cherry-red maple leaves, and the breezy air smelled sweet and fresh.
Killian led me down the path behind Rosewood Hall, toward the lake that lay nestled in the woods below the mountains. We found a spot by the waterfront and lay the blanket down before unpacking the picnic basket. “Oh my god, you really went all out,” I said, practically salivating at the sight of the food. “These are the cookies and cannoli from Trattoria Ilaria!”
“That’s the real surprise. I know how much you’ve missed them,” Killian said, patting the blanket beside him.
I sat down and stuffed half a cookie in my mouth, practically inhaling the delicious sugary goodness. “This is the best surprise ever,” I said through mouthfuls. “Honestly, there isn’t a single way this day could be any better.”
“You sure about that?” Killian lifted a brow and smiled as he reached into his pocket. “I forgot to tell you. There’s one more surprise.”
He opened a black velveteen ring box and rearranged himself so that he was on one knee. “Marry me, Shay,” he said. “Make me even happier than you’ve already made me just by being you.”
I stared down at the ring, open-mouthed. Then I raised my eyes to Killian’s handsome face. I was positive, with every atom in my body, that I wanted to be with him forever.
“Yes!” I managed to choke out through all the shock and emotion. “Yes, yes, yes!”
Killian grinned and slipped the stunning diamond onto my finger. It fit perfectly.
