Page 84 of Cross My Heart
Preston: Two peas in a pod, those two.
For once, I don’t reply, I don’t need to, they said it all for me.
Two hours later, we have checked in to a hotel uptown and are heading to the spa. “I booked a couple’s massage, then you have hair, nails, and make-up after a late lunch. They know what you’ll need, Julia called and filled them in, so just enjoy the day, okay?”
“I feel like I should be nervous, should I be nervous?” She asks me.
“Never with me, sweetheart. I’ve always got you.”
* * *
MLM Tactical Group
Dexter: Lanie is getting her hair and make-up done, I’m starting to second guess this. Maybe I should just cancel and take her to dinner.
Julia: You can’t. She is spending all this time getting ready, she is starting to get excited. It’s a solid plan, just go with it.
Trevor: I agree with Jules.
Preston: Of course, you do, Trev.
Julia: Fuck off.
Trevor: Fuck off.
* * *
“Honey, I’m home,”I hear Lanie call out as the door closes behind her.
Walking out of the bedroom, I snatch her around the waist. “I love hearing those words come out of your mouth,” I say, nipping at the base of her neck. With her hair all twisted up in some fancy knot on the top of her head, I have complete access. “You look beautiful, Lanes.”
“Thank you,” she says, turning to look at me. “What the heck? Why are you in a tux?” Lanie asks, shocked.
“We have plans tonight, your dress is on the bed. I’ll wait for you out here.” She looks adorably, confused. “Come on, hurry up, we have reservations before the party.”
“Dex, what are you…” I cut her off with a kiss.
“Don’t argue, Lanie. I’ve spent a lot of time planning tonight. Please, for me, just go get dressed.” She gives me a smile that could light up the darkest sky and walks into the bedroom. I stand just outside to hear her unzip the garment bag.
“What the hell?” she screams.
“Tsk, tsk, Lanie. You’re becoming quite the potty mouth.” I quickly close the door and go grab part two of her gift.
* * *
Thirty minutes later,Lanie opens the bedroom door and I run to take my place by the mirror. I’m doing everything I can to recreate this moment fromPretty Womanfor her. She walks out and almost runs into me. She is so beautiful, I drop the necklace box. “Fuck.”
“Dexter Cross, what are you doing? This is the exact dress, or at least it seems like the exact red dress Vivian wore in the movie.” I bend to pick up the jewelry box.
“Lanie, you are so fucking beautiful.” I shake my head. Hearing her call me Dexter Cross usually means I’m in for some sass, but I try to focus. “This is not the exact dress, but it was made to look exactly like it,” I tell her.
“Dex, I, why are you doing all this? And I swear to God, if that is some crazy diamond necklace you have on-loan, you can forget it. I am not wearing two houses worth of diamonds.” This makes me laugh, a full hearty belly laugh, and immediately shakes off my nerves.
“No, Lanie. This isn’t all diamonds, and it is not on loan.” I open the box, knowing she fully expects me to snap it on her fingers, but after all the injuries this beautiful woman has suffered because of me, I won’t take that chance. Instead, I hand her the box.
“Tate and I had this made for you. He chose the heart, I chose the inscription.” I watch as she carefully lifts the pendant out of the box to examine it. “Lanie, don’t cry, you just spent all that time getting your make-up done,” I scold her, laughing.
Lanie turns the pendant over in her hand, examining every inch of the platinum and diamond heart we chose for her. The front is sparkly and beautiful, just like her. The back is what I hope will be our truth,Maria stayed.
