Chapter Forty
Jonathan
Four months later …
I’m pacing the floor in our suite, waiting for Gabby. She’s been gone for the last four days, taking Charlie to look at houses with Lauren in Spokane. Charlie’s finally taking the break she’s been needing for like five years. She’s been accepted as a piano performance major at Marycliff University. And the plan is for her and Lauren to get a house together.
Gabby introduced them after Charlie got her acceptance letter, and they got along. But the real reason Charlie and Gabby left this week is because I needed Gabby out of the picture so I could fly to Dallas to meet with her parents. And ask their blessing to marry their youngest daughter.
Even though he’d warmed up to me at Christmas, Gabby’s dad still crossed his arms and gave me serious side-eye before proceeding to interrogate me in detail about my finances, my ability to be faithful to his daughter despite my “high-flying lifestyle,” and extracting the promise that I wouldn’t keep her from her family.
After reassuring him on all counts, Elizabeth, Gabby’s mom, stood and came around the kitchen table to wrap me in her arms. “Welcome to the family. We couldn’t be happier.”
Her husband had given a derisive snort, but still shook my hand and clapped his other hand on my shoulder when she released me. “Be good to my baby girl. Or I’ll come find you.”
“I will. Always.”
He gave me another firm shake and a nod, his steely eyes never leaving mine, before releasing me.
I didn’t stay long after that, flying back to Monterey, even though Gabby wasn’t due back for two more days.
I’ve been trying to figure out how I want to do this for the last four months. Waiting, biding my time until there was enough of a break in our schedule and a good reason to send Gabby away without making her suspicious. Wanting it to be perfect.
She just texted that they’ve landed and should be here in about half an hour. Now. Now is the time. We play a show tomorrow and then leave for another stop on the summer festival circuit early the morning after. This is the last day of downtime we have for weeks.
The ring is in my pocket, a one carat, princess cut diamond in a simple white gold setting that perfectly complements Gabby’s style and won’t get in her way. My fingers tap a beat on my thigh as I survey the room, deciding how I want it set up. Adrenaline rushes through me at the thought of proposing, a mixture of nerves and excitement.
Not because I’m worried about her answer. She’ll say yes. I’m pretty sure.
But I want everything to go perfectly. I push the coffee table back, making more room in front of the couch. Testing the distance, I get down on one knee. Yes. This will work. She’ll sit on the couch, and I’ll propose.
I flip open the lid on my guitar case, checking the tuning again. Sitting down, I play through the new song I’ve written for her. The only one that she hasn’t helped with since “Everything.”
After I finish, I set the guitar back in its case, closing the lid. I don’t want her to suspect anything. But then, I think better and open it again, taking it out. It’s more normal for me to be messing around with it than just standing in the middle of the room like an idiot.
And playing calms me. I strum through other songs while I wait for her to appear—favorites from the current tour, other new ones that I’ve recently written, noodling with some melodic ideas that come to me as I play.
Soon, the mechanical sound of the door unlocking has another zing of adrenaline shooting through me, and I lay my guitar aside and stand to face Gabby as she comes in. Charlie follows behind her, and they’re laughing about something.
Charlie locks eyes with me and gives me a knowing smile before turning to Gabby. “Thanks again for coming out with me. And introducing me to Lauren. And all your help with this whole adventure. I’m so excited for August.” She gives Gabby a big hug, which Gabby returns with a laugh.
“I’m happy to help. Ask me any time if you need anything.”
Stepping back, Charlie reaches for the door. “I will. Right now, though, I need a nap. Who knew shopping for houses could be so tiring? I’ll catch you guys later!” With another grin in my direction, Charlie gives us a wave and leaves the room, the door closing behind her with a loud click.
Gabby parks her suitcase next to the closet, then closes the distance between us quickly, launching herself into my arms when she gets close enough. With a laugh, I catch her, grounded by the familiar greeting after spending too long apart. Though a few days is nothing compared to what we used to have to endure. That’s all behind us now, and what I have planned today will ensure it stays that way.
After a thorough welcome back kiss, I let her slide down till her feet touch the floor. But she’s not to be distracted. Her hands on my cheeks pull my mouth to hers again. Normally I’d be happy to strip her down and give her my favorite kind of greeting—multiple orgasms in as many ways as I can manage—but the ring is burning a hole in my pocket. I want it on her finger. Now.
Gentling the kiss, I wrap my fingers around her hands and pull them down, breaking away and stepping back. She has a smile on her face, but she cocks her head to the side. “What are you doing? Come back here.”
With a deep breath I return her smile. “In a minute. I have something I want you to hear first.”
She raises an eyebrow. “You started working on something new in the time I’ve been gone? Bored without me here?”
I let out a quick laugh. “You have no idea.” With her hands still in mine, I guide her to sit on the couch. Picking up my guitar, I settle on the coffee table that I’ve pushed back a little so I’ll have room to kneel when I’m done.
Without preamble, I start to play, once again singing about our life together. But this time it’s different. This time, I hold nothing back, singing about how I want to dedicate my entire life to loving her.
When the last notes fade away, tears make her eyes glossy, and she covers her mouth with her hands. “That was beautiful, Jonathan.”
I set the guitar on the couch next to her, then reach for her hands as I slide down to one knee in front of her. “Little diva, you are the best thing that’s ever happened to me. From the moment I saw you in that coffee shop, I knew I wanted you to be mine. But I had no idea how much that day would end up changing my life. Meeting you was a watershed moment, and nothing has been the same since. In the best way possible. I never want to let you go. I want you to be mine forever.” I let go of her hands to reach into my pocket and pull out the ring box, popping it open.
Her hands go to her mouth again, covering a gasp.
“Gabrielle Violet Kane, will you marry me?”
I’m suspended in a moment of silence, holding my breath. I think my heart even stops beating while I wait for her answer.
Her hands drop into her lap. “Yes!” she cries, and launches herself at me again. “Yes! Of course I’ll marry you!”
She wraps herself around me, her lips finding mine, and a burst of joy explodes inside my chest.
She said yes.
I expected her to, but the reality of it feels greater than I could imagine. Her tongue slips into my mouth, and I welcome it, tangling my tongue with hers, my arms around her holding her body tight to mine.
All too soon she pulls back, one hand patting my shoulder. “The ring! I need my ring.”
Laughing, I sit back on my heels and let her slide into my lap, releasing her. With two fingers, I pluck the ring from its velvet slot. She holds her left hand in front of her, fingers splayed wide. I take her hand and slide the ring onto it, relishing the sight of my ring on her finger.
She wiggles her fingers a little, admiring the ring, letting the diamond catch the light. Then she looks up in my face, a wide smile splitting hers. “I’m so happy, I don’t even know what to say.”
My smile answer hers. “Me too.”
“I love you,” she whispers as I gather her into my arms again.
“I love you too.” I kiss her again and stand to carry her to the bedroom. “Welcome home.”
She giggles. “It’s funny to think of a hotel as home.” Her hands cup my cheeks as I lay her on the bed, her dark eyes shining with love as they hold mine. “But wherever you are is my home.”
In response, I kiss her, crawling on top of her on the bed. When I pull back, her lips are swollen, and her eyes are hazy as her fingers slide under my shirt. “And you’re my home. Forever.”
She pulls me to her, and I spend the rest of the day showing her just how glad I am that she said yes.