Page 114 of Sweet Poison

“What is all this?” I sign, glancing from the boxes to him.

“Can I come in?” he asks, nodding toward the stack of packages in his hands.

I step back to let him through, nodding. He enters the suite, carefully setting the boxes and dress down on the small table.

Lincoln reaches into his pocket, pulling out a folded note. He hands it to me with a knowing smile. “Fucked upRomeo also sends a letter,”he signs.

I give him a dull look, not liking the way he’s referring to Madden, but it only makes his smile widen. Those two have a weird relationship.

I unfolded the note and read the elegant handwriting:

You’ve been the best thing to happen to me this year.

Wild One, will you meet me at the beach at midnight?

I look up, my heart racing. “The beach? He’s back?” I sign, excitement flooding my chest.

Lincoln nods. Then, with a small shrug, he signs back, “You’ve changed him.”

With another grin, he turns to leave, and I’m left standing there, breathless. Butterflies flutter in my stomach at the thought of what Madden has planned for tonight.

Giddy anticipation bubbles inside me as I rush over to the boxes, my fingers trembling with excitement as I lift the lid of the first one. My breath catches when I see the pastel green clutch inside, sparkling faintly under the light. It is gorgeous—elegant and chic—something my cousins would fawn over.

“This is stunning,” I whisper, running my fingers over the smooth fabric, unable to stop smiling.

I eagerly move to the second box and open it, my heart skipping a beat as a delicate diamond necklace glimmers inside. The diamonds are set perfectly, catching the light in a way that makes my breath hitch. It’s so breathtakingly beautiful, I feel like I might faint just from staring at it.

My hands tremble as I open the final box, revealing a matching bracelet and ring, both equally as exquisite and unreal. The weight of the jewelry grounds me, anchoring me in the moment, even though everything feels like a dream I don’t ever want to wake up from.

Finally, I turn my attention to the black cover, my pulse quickening as I lift it to reveal the dress. It is a long, sheer pastel green gown that hugs to the curves of the mannequin, almost see-through in parts. The soft fabric shimmers like ocean waves, catching the Christmas lights in a way that makes it seem otherworldly. I run my fingers over the delicate material, my heart fluttering. I can already imagine how it will feel against my skin.

“Oh, wow,” I breathe, mesmerized by the beauty before me. It feels like something out of a fairytale.

Overwhelmed by emotion, I grab my phone and open a video call with my mom. When her face appears on the screen, I can’t help but grin. “Mom! Guess what!” I beam, excited to share the incredible surprise Madden has sent.

He’s back.

Meet me at midnight…

My heart swells with a love so pure, so deep, that I can’t contain it. The idea of ringing in the new year with him—finally together—fills me with an indescribable joy.

Mom’s smile widens, her eyes sparkling with joy. “What is it, sweetheart?”

I turn the camera around to show her the boxes and the dress, sparkling under the Christmas lights. “Look at all this! Madden sent me all of it!”

Her eyes widen in excitement, matching my own. “Oh my goodness! That dress is gorgeous! And the jewelry! You’ll look like a real-life princess, my baby!” She leans closer to the screen.“That boy is just like the ones we read about in books, Willow. Just like your father. He’s a keeper!”

A keeper…

“I—I love him, Mom,” I whisper, feeling my heart swelling with so much love and warmth I can’t even begin to describe.

“And he loves you too, my girl.” Her voice softens. “He loves you too.”

I frown, a puzzled thought crossing my mind. “Wait… how do you know?”

Mom’s smirk is knowing. “Only a man in love does the things he does. Trust me, Willow.” She taps her chest with a wink. “Now, go get him, baby girl. Write your own happily ever after.”

Happily Ever Afterwith Madden? I can almost feel the magic of a life with him in my bones. Nothing has ever sounded so perfect, so right.

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