Page 54 of Secret Match
Her eyes widened, and she stared at him blankly. “He’s here? Why?” She turned her head. “We should go. I’d like to thank them again.”
Again he kept her still and waited for her to look at him and then he said, “Let me finish.”
She slipped her hands out of his but didn’t move away. Instead she swallowed and said, “Right. You die when you meet your soulmate?”
The memory of his mother’s words when she was super happy replayed in his mind. “Yes, you die as a single person but you’re reborn as a new, better version of yourself because you found your other half.”
Her entire expression softened, and she hugged him. “That’s really sweet, Gio.”
He stepped back but tipped his forehead toward her as he said, “And I died the day we met.”
Her breathing sounded wistful as she tugged on his belt loop, bringing him closer. “Wait. You did?”
He kissed her forehead and she tasted sweet and delicious as always. His mouth still hungered for her lips, but he pulled back and leveled his vision with hers. “Yes. I don’t want to imagine my life without you in it now.”
“Why?” She trembled.
His heart and body froze as everything depended on his answer—Serenity had clued him in on what Kiwi needed to hear. “Because I love you and want you to marry me.”
She laughed and threw her head back with her throaty chuckle. He couldn’t move. Finally she clutched her heart, shook her head and said, “You’re clearly the poet in this relationship.”
Poet? If she said no, he’d understand. He was rushing, but he wanted her to sayyes. He swallowed and then said, “But I need an answer from you, Kiwi Washington. Will you marry me?”
She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him as he spun her around. “Yes, of course. I love you.”
Once he put her back on the ground, he took both of her hands. “Good because the wedding is today.”
“What?” Her eyes widened.
The text earlier. He dug out his phone and showed her the message from Serenity. “Your mom will be here in a few hours and everything is being prepared now.”
She covered her mouth but he could see the smile underneath the tips of her fingers. “My mom?”
“She’s flying on the Morgan jet.” He handed her his phone so she could read Serenity’s message that her mother was on board.
Kiwi went onto her tiptoes and kissed him. “I love you so much. She loves your flowers.”
“Good to hear.” His arms wrapped around her and he hugged her close. He took out the huge diamond that sparkled from the morning sun with a classic band that she could easily wear every day in the box. “So you’ll wear this ring from now on?”
Kiwi laughed and said, “Absolutely, yes.”
Once his lips met hers, he forgot everything else. Kiwi had finally said yes. He had his princess, forever.
Chapter 19
Kiwi Washington’s face practically sparkled though she had no glitter on. From her years of working at a spa, she knew how to take great care of her skin, but today her flesh seemed to glow in the mirror, underneath whatever makeup the artists used.
She stepped back and then walked over to her dress.
Victoria, Serenity and Caro clearly all knew her style as the demure preference that reminisced of classic beauty like Grace Kelly when she’d married her prince in Monaco.
Marrying Gio today was her royal wedding.
As makeup was done, she took off her robe and stepped into the dress. A staff member began buttoning her when the door opened.
Kiwi’s gaze flittered to the door and she clutched the side of the dresser until the sunlight lessened. A second later she let go of the dresser and opened her arms for a hug. “Mom!”
Her mother adjusted her hat like she too joined a royal wedding, though she motioned for the staff member to leave and took over buttoning the dress as she said, “Kiwi Washington, this is breathtaking.”
