Rogue Devil (The Rourkes #11) - Kylie Gilmore Page 0,68
prepared and got a bunch of pictures of the proposal. C’mere, let me see this rock.”
I laugh and walk over to her, showing off a simple round solitaire on a gold band. It’s perfect. “So you all knew he was going to propose?”
She smiles and nods. Adrian and Lindsey smile too.
“I was so excited,” Lindsey says. “It was so hard to keep it a secret.”
I turn to look at Brendan, who’s seated now while the waiter returns to slice the cake. Brendan smiles at me tenderly, his eyes soft. “I wanted your family to be here for it.” He turns to Lindsey. “You’re an honorary sister, so you’re in.”
Lindsey beams at me. I give her a watery smile, suddenly realizing just how lucky I was to have such a wonderful roommate these last three years. She always made time to have fun with me, even though she had a group of other friends she went out with too. I go over and hug her. “I’m going to miss you.”
“I’ll miss you too,” she cries, throwing her arms around me. “School won’t be the same without my roomie.”
I sniffle and wipe more tears. “I’ll stay in touch. I’m sure you’ll have a great senior year.” We talk for a few more minutes and then I take my seat.
Brendan feeds me a bite of his cake.
“Mmm, it’s so good! I just wish I had room for it.”
“I’ll get a slice to go for you,” he says. “Got you covered.”
I smile at him with all the love in my heart and then take in my family, my heart full to bursting. “This is the happiest day of my life,” I manage over the lump in my throat.
Sara raises her glass to me. “To many more!”
For the first time I look to the future not just as a long haul of work, but as a bright shiny adventure full of great times to come. It’s love that’s opened my heart to more possibilities. It’s Brendan, the love of my life.
“Hear, hear,” Adrian says, lifting his glass and clinking it to Sara’s. Then we all clink glasses around the table.
I let out a happy sigh. Graduating after all my hard work and getting engaged to the love of my life—best day ever.
Brendan
I back Chloe up against the wall the moment I get her alone at my place. It’s the middle of the week, so Beast is at work. “Finally, I get you all to myself.” I kiss her and then boost her up so she can wrap her legs around me. She clings to my shoulders as I deepen the kiss.
She breaks the kiss, looking way too serious. “As much as I love getting naked with you, I have a question.”
I still, suddenly wary. “What?”
“I’m happy to be your wife whenever, but would you mind if we wait on kids until I finish my residency?”
I’m so relieved it’s nothing bad, a surge of energy goes through me. It’s pure happiness. “Absolutely.” I walk toward my bedroom with her plastered against my front. “We’ll enjoy each other in the meantime.”
“I don’t want a big wedding. In fact, we should save our money. Med school is expensive.”
I set her down next to the bed and pull her pale green dress up and over her head. “That’s better.” I go for the back hook of her bra. “How’s this? We marry in a small civil ceremony before med school starts, so we can afford a honeymoon. Say, two weeks in Hawaii. Jack raved about it.”
She gasps. “Did you already plan this too?”
I can’t help my smile. “Yup. I didn’t want you distracted by all this stuff when you had finals.”
“Bren! How did you know I’d love all of that?”
I get her bra off, toss it, and yank her panties down. Then I tackle her to the bed. She squeaks and then laughs.
I kiss her. “Because I know you.”
She shakes her head, looking dazed. My awesomeness has that effect on her. “Did you already book the honeymoon?”
“Sure did.” I nuzzle into her neck and take her earlobe between my teeth. “Courthouse ceremony in early July followed by Hawaii. We’ll be back in plenty of time for the beginning of the semester.”
She smacks my shoulder. “Get out! It’s perfect!”
I laugh. “I know!”
I get off her just long enough to strip and grab a condom, and rejoin her, lacing our fingers together and pinning her hands to the mattress. Her lips part, her eyes shining with happiness. All because of me.