She slipped on the heels and wobbled a little as she walked back and forth.
“Crap, I’m going to break my ankle in these.” But after a little more practice, she thought she might manage to walk, slowly, without humiliating herself.
Cady stepped into the living room. Gray turned off the T.V. and stood, looking her up and down. “You look gorgeous, Cady. Absolutely breathtaking.”
She blushed. “Thanks. Not sure how I’m supposed to manage the stairs in these shoes, though.”
“That’s what I’m here for.” He held out his arm and she slipped her hand in the crook of his elbow. “I was wrong, he did know what he was doing. That is the perfect dress for you.”
She blushed a little. “Do you know what this is all about?”
“Yes, but I’ve been sworn to secrecy.” He winked. He walked her to his car, opening the passenger door for her, before he climbed in on the driver’s side. No matter how much she begged, he refused to tell her where they were going.
Eventually, Gray pulled up outside the Arboretum.
“Umm, isn’t the Arboretum closed?” she asked.
“Yes, it is,” Gray replied, turning to look at her. “Have fun.”
She opened her mouth to question him further when her door opened and Hunter was standing there, looking mouth-wateringly delicious in his black tux and white shirt.
“Hunter, what’s going on?” she asked as she took his hand. He helped her out then shut the door, nodding at Gray.
“You’ll find out soon. Damn, you look hot.”
“Thank you for the dress, it’s beautiful.”
“Not as beautiful as the woman wearing it,” he replied. He held out his arm and they stepped through the open gate into the gardens.
“We’re not supposed to be here,” she said.
“It’s okay. I was owed a favor. Just trust me.”
She remained silent, following him until they reached a small clearing, fairy lights in the trees lit the area.
“Oh wow.”
A small table with two chairs had been set up, two plates of covered food sitting on the table.
“Hunter, what is this?”
“This is dinner. For the two of us. Come on.”
He held out her seat and she sat in shock. “But why?”
“Because I want to do this properly.” He took the covers off the plates and her mouth watered as she smelled and glanced down at the succulent-looking steaks, potatoes swimming in butter and green beans.
“Do what properly?”
“This.”
He bent down on his knee beside her. Cady turned in surprise as he grabbed her left hand and pulled out a small ring box.
“You know, I never expected to love anyone, I guess was afraid to. Scared of losing them, of letting them down, of not being able to protect them. And then I met you and I couldn’t get you out of my head, no matter how much I tried.
“You’re the other half of me, Cady. You terrify me with how brave you are. You humble me when you surrender yourself to me and every day I wake up with a smile on my face because you’re cuddled in my arms.”
He opened the box in his hand. When he opened it, she gasped as she saw the beautiful ring inside. It was a large ruby surrounded by diamonds.