I lifted an enormous and suspiciously light box. Opening it, I discovered beneath the mad amount of wrapping tissue an envelope. Inside was an itinerary for plane tickets to—
“Rome?” I gasped.
Phil’s smile lit the room with its brilliance.
It showed a schedule for the last two weeks in February, a Valentine’s vacation.
“Lucy already cleared your schedule, and I informed Rita about it already.”
“You talked to Rita?” I was a little surprised.
“Well, I figured it would save you the trouble, and if she got bitchy, it would be with me, not you. She was surprisingly agreeable with the whole thing. I had been ready for a fight, too.”
“Wow! We’re going to Italy!” I might have bounced a little in my excitement.
“I debated whether we should go to Britain for Stonehenge or Naples for Pompeii. I chose the warmer climate. Britain’s fuckin’ cold in February.” Then, he quietly asked, “Did you want to see Stonehenge in the snow?”
I shook my head. “No, babe. This is just…wow. It’s amazing that this is my life now.”
He smiled again, and my heart tripped around in my chest.
“You gotta get used to it. Otherwise, you’ll spend the rest of our lives weepin’ each time I decide to book a flight.”
I hope I never get used to it. I hope that this man surprises and delights me for all time. If anyone has the power to do it, it’s Phil.
He reached for his next gift, and I felt myself flush. I watched quietly as he unwrapped it and found a box. He lifted the lid, possibly expecting to find Cohibas, and instead saw the kinky black silk cords and blindfold.
Yeah, I had gone there.
Looking at me, he cocked an eyebrow.
I cleared my throat. “Well…”
“You’re a freak, Kenna.”
“So are you!” I huffed, glaring.
He smirked. “I like it. It’s classy fucked up.”
“Yeah, it is.”
I had a few more presents to open—some fine pieces of jewelry, some pretty tank tops, a pair of dark brown UGG boots, and a brand-new NOLA’s Junk T-shirt with all five members on the front.
I held it up, beaming from ear to ear. “I can’t believe he’s in the band. You do realize that was the best present I got this Christmas, right?”
“That’s actually not an official band T-shirt yet. Lili took that photo of all of us before we asked him to join.”
I nodded, recognizing the tree in his dad’s yard in the background. They had all gotten together to jam before Connor had headed back to Miami, and Lili had asked them to gather and look badass for a few photos.
Tossing the shirt on top of my large pile, I looked over at him and saw the glowing warmth in his eyes. Suddenly, I was more nervous than I could ever remember being, but I had to do this. He needed to know just how important he was to me.
Sliding off the sofa, I positioned myself between his knees. His pupils expanded. He probably thought I was going to give him head.
“Phil?”
“Yeah, Baby Girl.”
Damn, why do I have to get all sweaty now? How can this be so nerve-wracking?
I had just discovered a new bit of respect for people in this situation. Shoving my hand into my skirt pocket, I pulled out the black velvet box and held it up, watching his eyes light up.
“What’s this?”
With fumbling shaky fingers, I pulled back the lid, and his eyes went wide.
“Is that a DiAblo?” he asked.
“Uh, yeah…” I replied, feeling my heart crawl into my throat. “Um, Phil?”
He reached for the ring and pulled it out to hold it up to his face and inspect it. “Whoa. It’s fuckin’ gorgeous.” His gaze touched on the inscription, and his eyes went even darker.
He looked down into my eyes, and I saw something click in his head.
Closing the box, I tossed it aside and reached for the ring. It slipped easily from his fingers, his grip gone slack, and his face held the first stirrings of shock.
“Kenna…” he breathed.
“Phil, you’re the reason I wake up happy and fall asleep feeling loved and safe. I can no longer remember my life before you came into it, and I never want to imagine my life without you. Will you…” I had to take a deep breath to be able to continue because the look on his face was fucking with my tear ducts.
He was staring at me, his eyes lit with an inner fire, shimmering with his own tears. His chest rose and