Page 391 of His Virgin Romance Series

“Thanks, Dad.”

“Remember not to let your guard down,” he continued, and I realized he was actually advising me. It was a very paternal thing to do, and I was taken aback by it for a moment. “Just because you’ve got everything you want doesn’t mean you can’t lose it.”

“I know, Dad.”

“She’s a brilliant woman, Miles,” dad said. “Make sure you don’t lose her again.”

“I won’t,” I said fervently.

That night after everyone had left, Gabby and I made love in our bed. We were lying naked, tangled up in the sheets when I told her about the next exhibition that Gordon was putting on.

“Oh my God!” Gabby practically screamed. “A whole exhibition just for your work. Miles, why didn’t you tell everyone at dinner? We could have been celebrating that too.”

“I wanted to celebrate you tonight… and only you.”

“Silly boy,” Gabby said, kissing my cheek affectionately. “But honestly, I am so proud of you.”

“Want to see the check?” I asked.

Gabby laughed. “Sure.”

I grabbed the check from my pants, and we sat in bed and stared at it. “That’s a lot of money,” Gabby breathed.

“It’s only a drop in the bucket compared to what I might make at the next exhibit,” I said.

“Wow.”

“I was thinking… maybe we could work towards a bigger place,” I said.

“A bigger apartment?” Gabby asked.

“Actually, I was thinking… a house.”

“A house?” Gabby gasped, with raised eyebrows. “You want to buy a house?”

“Obviously, we’ll have to invest outside the city… far outside, but I think we could manage it,” I said. “I want to start planning our future.”

Gabby smiled. “And what does our future look like to you?” she asked.

“A nice house in a good neighborhood,” I said. “With a music room for you and an art room for me. It might have to be a big house though… the children will need rooms too.”

Gabby’s smile got wider. “We have children?”

“Three.” I nodded. “And a golden retriever.”

“I’ve always wanted a dog.”

“Me too.” I nodded again. “But those are steps two and onwards. We’re missing crucial step number one.”

“Oh?” Gabby asked. “And what is crucial step number one?”

“Marriage,” I said softly.

Gabby cocked her head to the side and looked at me curiously. “Miles… are you proposing to me?”

I laughed. “I’m sorry,” I said. “I meant to do this right. I meant to have clothes on. I meant to go out tomorrow and buy a ring, make a special meal for you, get down on one knee… the works. But I don’t know… for some reason now seems like the perfect moment to ask.”

I saw Gabby’s eyes get soft and emotional. “So ask,” she said.

“Gabby Larkson,” I said, taking both her hands in mine. “Here I sit, naked and vulnerable, a man bearing his soul to the woman of his dreams. I know this is really fast… maybe even too fast, but I can honestly say that you have turned me into the best possible version of myself. You have transformed my life and healed me at the same time. I can’t imagine spending my life with anyone else. Will you please do me the honor of marrying me?”

She smiled, and I saw a tear slip down her cheek. “Of course I’ll marry you.”

I leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips, and we sealed our entwined fate with that perfect kiss.

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