Page 115 of The Renegade Billionaire
This is one of those times.
“Elle,” I scold. “You’re about to have a baby. You should’ve let someone else help.”
“I’m the interior decorator, and this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance.” Elle groans. “I wasn’t about to pass it up no matter whatMr. I’m going to chain you to the bed until you have this kid so you don’t hurt yourselfsays.”
“And what were you doing?”
Savvy kisses my cheek, then whispers, “That’s for us to know, and you to find out.”
“But…”
“Go,” they all say. Cian’s the loudest, probably because he wants to get Elle home, and I don’t blame him.
A moment later, Cian’s headlights blind me momentarily, then they cut through the darkness and are gone.
“He’s going to be a really great dad.”
“I bet he will be,” Braxton says. “He’s been very patient with Grey and me, and I promise you, that’s no easy feat with what we’ve been working on.”
A gust of air flips up the back of my dress, and I lower my arms to keep it down. It’s much colder up here this time of year.
“Welcome to our first official date, Madison Ryan.” He holds out his arm. “May I escort you inside?”
“Inside? Inside the tent?”
“Actually, it’s called a miniature marquee tent, if you want to be specific, but yes.”
“Braxton, what did you do?” I ask, just before he pulls back a heavy-looking flap and I get my first glimpse at what can only be described as magical.
I tentatively enter the space that glows from the fairy lights, and I can’t decide where to look first. A small sofa I recognize from the third floor of the inn has been cleaned and is set against the back wall with a table in front of it holding a charcuterie board and two glasses of champagne.
In front of the coffee table is a large freestanding fireplace that must run on gas. It separates the sofa from the intimate dining table that’s directly in front of me. It’s set with the most beautiful peonies that make the entire space smell divine.
A tear slips free, and I quickly brush it away before turning my attention on Braxton.
“What did you do?” It’s amazing that my voice only wobbled a little.
“I’m giving us a first date we’ll never forget.” He’s calm, and his voice is soothing, but I sense him studying every reaction as though he’s afraid I’ll bolt at any second.
“But how?” I spin in a circle to really take it all in. Large crystal vases of peonies and white flowers I can’t name decorate the corners, while the light reflects rainbows from the crystal all over the wide-planked wooden floor.
“Well, I had to get a permit, which meant I had to ask Pops, who took me to see Moose, who introduced me to his brother-in-law, who was able to get me a permit on short notice.” He says it with a straight face, but I know he’s dying to laugh.
“That sounds about right. Small-town living and all.” I shrug playfully, all while trying to keep the well of emotion that’s bubbling in my chest from opening a dam I can’t control.
He pulls something from his pocket and taps it with his thumb. Cole Swindell plays quietly in the background.
“You said you were going to be my small town.”
A freaking dining table at Envy’s Edge inside a freaking miniature marquee tent. What is happening in my life?
“That was the song,” I tease.
“But I accepted.” He tosses what I know now to be a remote onto the dining table, never releasing my gaze as he stands before me. “Dinner won’t be here for about an hour and a half.”
“Someone else is coming up here?”
“Afraid to be seen with me?”
