Page 143 of Make Me Swoon

We let the hostess lead us over to a table in the back and I pull Bianca’s chair out for her before I take the one across from her. We order a bunch of different things to share and I hold her hand across the table as she talks about how jealous she is of Lincoln and Adeline’s honeymoon and says that maybe we should go on a vacation soon too. Images of Bianca prancing along the beach in a tiny bikini fill my head and I warm to the idea instantly.

“Where would you want to go?” She asks me.

“Wherever you want, Sweets. I talked to Lincoln and he said Rome was cool, but I like the idea of chilling on a beach somewhere with you too.”

“We’ll have to look up places.” She says as our food is delivered.

We eat and chat about possible vacation places and I smile as I realize how far she came from never wanting a second date to living together and planning a vacation. I pay the bill and she leans on me as we make our way back home. We step off the elevator laughing but Bianca’s laughter cuts off as her whole-body tenses. I look up too and see an older couple standing impatiently in front of our door. From the blonde hair and similar facial features, I gather that these are her parents.

“Mom, Dad, what are you doing here?”

“So, it’s true then?” Her mother asks, sounding outraged.

“What is true?”

“That you’re with this, this man.” She sneers.

“Bryson. His name is Bryson and yes, we’re together. Did you need something?” Bianca asks as she stares them down.

Her mother frowns at the both of us while her father joins the conversation.

“How much will it take?” He asks, looking at me.

“I’m sorry?”

“She deserves to marry someone from a proper family, with the right background. So, how much money will it take for you to walk away from our daughter?”

I stare at them like they’re crazy. I can’t believe that they’re doing this shit again. Her college boyfriend was an idiot and I would never make the same mistake that he did.

“Bianca is the best thing that’s ever happened to me and nothing will ever get me to leave her.” I answer honestly.

Their frowns turn to glares and I glare back at them.

“Your daughter is incredible and the fact that you can’t see that and continue to push her away blows my mind. We have nothing left to say to you, so if you’ll excuse us.” I say pushing past them to open the door. I lead Bianca inside and she grips my hand, walking past them with her head held high. She closes the door in their faces and I’m not sure what to expect.

Is she going to be upset? Or cry? I set my keys down and turn to face her right as she launches herself at me. I catch her as she wraps her legs around my waist and tunnels her hands in my hair as she fuses her mouth to mine. I kiss her back as we stumble further into the apartment. My legs hit the back of the couch and we fall onto the cushions.

She rips her mouth from mine after a minute and jumps off of me, running into our bedroom. I sit up, wondering if I should follow after her but she’s back before I can decide. She runs into the living room and stops in front of me. I reach up, ready to pull her down into my lap but she steps back before I can grab her. She clears her throat and suddenly looks a little nervous.

“So, I’ve been thinking a lot about us lately and um, well,”

I stare up at her as she clears her throat again. She wipes her hands on her dress before she gets down on one knee in between my legs. I gape at her as she picks up one of my hands in both of hers.

“Bryson, I need you, I trust you, and I love you. You make me feel safe and cherished and even before you told off my parents, I knew that you would never leave me, not for anything. I want you in my life forever. Will you marry me?” She asks as she opens her palm.

There in her palm is a plain gold band. I stare at it and then I start to laugh. She stares up at me with a confused look on her face. I reach into my pocket and pull out the diamond ring I had picked up just this morning.

“You beat me to it, Sweets.” I say as I hold her ring in the palm of my hand.

She stares at it for a beat before her eyes meet mine. Slowly, a smile stretches across her face and she looks up.

“Well, I asked you first.”

“Yes, Bianca, I will marry you.”

I lean down then and pull her into my lap as I seal my mouth over hers. We kiss for a minute and then I feel the sting of the diamond as it presses into my palm and I pull back.

“I believe this is yours.” I say as I pick up her hand, sliding the ring onto her finger.

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