on rooftops of buildings.
“Wow …” Brandon stopped and slid his hands in his pockets. The goofiness from earlier was gone, and clearly now he could do nothing but stand frozen in place, in awe over the beauty here. He looked back at Bailey and grinned. “Who would’ve known?”
“Bob said something about the roof once, but … yeah, I had no idea.” It was one more example of how she shared new vistas with Brandon, how they experienced things Bailey had never imagined. She smiled. “Ummm … definitely a good idea. Coming up here.”
“Even with the stairs.” He still had laughter in his voice as he reached for her hand again and they walked along the path to the other side of the roof. “Let’s check out the view.”
The air was cooler now that night had fallen, and Bailey realized she should’ve brought a sweater from the apartment. She ran her free hand along her arms and stayed close at Brandon’s side.
“Cold?” He slowed and put his arm around her shoulders.
“A little.” She felt a different sort of chill at the touch of his hand against her bare arm. And his body beside her kept her warm against the cool of the night.
They reached the far side and found a pretty patio that ran alongside the railing. Flower bowls dotted the edges and benches anchored either side. “It’s beautiful.” Bailey took the lead and they walked slowly to the railing. She looked back at him. “Our own personal Empire State Building.”
“Mmmm.” His teasing eyes danced again. “With you, who needs another eighty floors?”
She giggled quietly. “Exactly.”
For a little while they stayed that way, side by side, leaning on the high railing, soaking in the lights of the city and the view of Times Square. But then he faced her, sliding his arms around her waist and looking to the places in her heart that were beginning to feel like they belonged only to him. “I had another great day.”
“Me too.” The mood between them was suddenly more intimate, deeper than before. Bailey felt her heart beat hard. She laughed a little. “I don’t think I’ve had this much fun ever.”
“See?” His smile warmed her soul. “That’s why you’re supposed to be with me.”
“Hmmm … is that right?” She lowered her chin, her eyes on his.
“It is.” He ran his fingers lightly through her hair. The depth in his eyes turned more serious, a sort of mesmerizing look that left no doubt about his feelings. “I have something for you.” He slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out a tiny vintage-looking brown leather box. He held it out to her. “Here.”
The box alone was the most beautiful thing … like something a person might only find in an antique store. She ran her thumb over it and then lifted her eyes to him. “Can I open it?”
“Of course.” His smile told her how much he enjoyed this. “I’ve been waiting for this all day.”
Happiness filled her, consumed her. She had no idea what to expect, but as she opened the box she caught her breath again. “Brandon, it’s beautiful.”
The white gold necklace had a heart charm and on it — in the faintest engraving — were their initials. B&B. He reached in and turned the heart around. “It’s engraved on the back too.”
She peered at it in the moonlight and what she saw brought tears to her eyes, tears because for all the ways she’d missed opportunities and struggled in her season here on Broadway, somehow God still loved her enough to give her a moment like this … a guy like Brandon Paul. She looked at him. “My verse. You remembered?”
“I remember everything about you, Bailey.” He took the necklace out and set the box on the nearby bench. Then he carefully slipped it onto her neck, his fingers cool against her skin. After he’d fastened the clasp, he faced her once more and she wondered if his heart was pounding like hers. “Can I ask you something?”
This was it … the question. She put her arms around his neck, curious … barely able to breathe. “Yes … please, Brandon.” She couldn’t take her eyes from him, didn’t dare move or blink.
“You’re beautiful … you have no idea how much.” He looked mesmerized, lost in her eyes.
“I feel beautiful … with you, Brandon.”
“Bailey …” The rare vulnerability was back in his eyes, the brash confident, carefree guy the rest of the world knew gone in this moment between them.