create a perfect life... with me. His real best friend.
“Yes,” I answer, unable to say anything else.
Drew rises and kisses me, sealing the moment. I wrap my arms around his neck, and he lifts me until my toes dangle above the deck.
“Yes,” I say again, our lips grazing. “Yes, yes, yes.”
Drew grins, refusing to let me down. “In case you didn’t realize,” he whispers, “the home in my number two is for us.”
I squeal with excitement. “Really?”
He nods. “Mm-hmm.”
“Can I have an art studio?” I ask.
“You can have anything you want.”
“Can we have one of those giant bathtubs with the jets and stuff?”
“Of course.”
“Can we—”
“Yes!” he interrupts. “Yes, to all of it.”
I squeal as I kiss him again. He releases me down to the boat and takes the ring out of the box. I give him my hand, my pulse pounding, as he slides the ring onto my finger. A perfect fit in a perfect matching set.
“Wow,” I whisper, still so shocked, though I’m not sure why I am.
I knew Drew would ask me to marry him someday. It’s always been Drew, even since the moment he walked into Professor Wilson’s classroom my freshman year.
“Is this what your vision was about?” I ask. “Marrying me?”
Drew smiles. “Yes,” he answers.
He places his hand on my cheek. His thumb glides along my bottom lip, a classic move that’s always meant one thing. I part my lips to accept his kiss again. His wicked tongue caresses mine. Each kiss becomes deeper than the last, sparking desire that’s always waiting just beneath the surface of us. I push his jacket back over his shoulders. He pinches the zipper of my dress. I slide his belt free as we stumble toward the master stateroom below deck.
Drew chuckles on the stairs. “You know, we do still have a dinner to get to,” he says.
“If we’re late, we’re late,” I say.
I reach into his pants and I give him a good squeeze.
It’s a classic for a reason.
Chapter 55
Heidi
“Happy Birthday, Heidi!”
I gasp at the crowd gathered in the restaurant of the Botsford Plaza Hotel. Somehow, I assumed it would be just the two of us, but Drew clearly had bigger plans in mind.
There’s at least thirty people gathered in our half of the restaurant, including friends, colleagues, and family from both sides. His parents, Glenn and Francie. His big sister, Melanie, and her ex-husband but not really, Robbie. My parents. My brother. Several friends of mine from the art department, along with some co-workers from the museum. Jenna, of course, looking absolutely fabulous in her red and black cocktail dress. Let’s not forget the core friend group of the bad boys of Delta Xi: Corey, Devin, and Harvey.
It’s almost too much. I dab away the happy tears in my eyes as Drew gives me another big hug. As I look over his shoulder, I spot a small stage set up in the corner. A band prepares for their set. Several guitars. Two keyboards. A cello.
I nearly jolt out of my shoes. “Is that...” I gasp yet again. “Is that Criminal Records?”
Drew glances in that direction and nods. “I believe it is,” he says.
“Criminal Records is playing my birthday party?!”
“I like to think they’re playing our engagement party, but yes.” He grins. “They are.”
I gaze at him. My new fiancé. “What did I do to deserve a fella like you?” I ask.
“You sneezed on my face.”
I laugh as I give him a quick kiss.
“Heidi!” Jenna says as she rushes toward me. Or, more specifically, toward my left hand. “Show me, show me, show me!”
I thrust my hand forward. She snatches it and yanks me closer to get a good look at the ring.
“Oh, it’s so much shinier in person!” she says with a wink at Drew. “Good job, Mr. Rose.”
Drew bows as he shares a handshake with Seth. “Thank you kindly, Ms. Abrams,” he says.
“You knew about this?” I ask her.
“Oh, please. You think Drew could pull off a party like this by himself? He’s great, but he ain’t that great.” She waves a hand at him. “No offense.”
“None taken,” he says.
I blink, genuinely impressed. “I’m surprised you kept this a secret. I had no idea.”
“Honey, I live for secrets,” she teases.
Seth steps toward me with open arms. “Congratulations, little sister,” he says.
“Thank you,” I say as I hug him.
He shifts back and regards the two of us with soft, golden-brown eyes. “I’ll just say one thing,” he says as he raises his glass, “I’m glad I was wrong