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It’s a short drive from the restaurant to the Gardens — so close that if it were a little warmer tonight, I would’ve suggested we park in the middle somewhere and walk. When we pull into the parking lot, I hear a small gasp escape her lips.
“Joey…” she whimpers softly. “It’s beautiful.”
“This is just the start, Angel.” I tip her chin toward me and kiss her lightly.
After I open the passenger’s side door and help her down out of the truck, I pat the inside of my jacket to make sure my last surprise is still there. Yep, all good.
Kelsey reaches for my hand, and our fingers interlock together. Everything about us feels right and natural, like we were always meant to be. I’m more sure now than I’ve ever been — I love her.
Chapter 28
Joey’s thoughtfulness and compassion tonight has been nothing short of mind-blowing. When I think back to the boy I had a crush on in high school, he’s nothing like the man who is standing right next to me. I’m thankful as ever that life has given us this chance to finally be together.
As we walk through all of the different light displays, I’m in complete awe — I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything more beautiful in my life. I’ve been to the Chicago Botanic Gardens before, but never for this event.
“This is gorgeous,” I sigh, feeling every ounce of anxiety I’d felt earlier this evening fall away from my shoulders.
“It doesn’t hold a candle to you, Kelsey.” Joey squeezes my hand tenderly.
You know how you have those moments where you’re sure a guy is just saying things as a line? This is not one of those moments. One look in Joey’s eyes as we continue to walk, and I know he means every single word he says.
Joey pulls on my hand, bringing me chest-to-chest with him. I can feel the warmth radiating off of his body. When I place my hand on his chest, I can feel his heart racing. I’m not usually one for PDA, but the urge to kiss him is coursing so strongly through my veins. My hand glides up his chest and wraps around his neck, pulling his face down to mine. When our lips connect, the lights around us seem brighter and the music that’s playing is muffled. All I can feel is my heartbeat thrumming through my body as Joey’s tongue melts with mine. If he wasn’t holding onto me right now, my legs would likely collapse underneath me.
“I have something for you, Angel.” He pulls my hand and leads me to a bench toward the side of the tunnel.
“Joey, you didn’t have to get me anything…” I trail off as he hands me a square box. I’m having a hard time holding back the tears that are forming in my eyes.
“Open it.” Joey looks so excited that he’s about to burst.
When I open the box, I gasp — inside is a white gold necklace. An orchid pendant with a diamond in the middle sits in the center of the chain. “Oh, my God, Joey. It’s beautiful!” Now the tears are fully flowing from my eyes. “Will you put it on me?”
“Of course.” He takes the necklace out of the box in my hands. My heart races with excitement as he clasps the chain around my neck.
“I love it, Joey — thank you.” I kiss him, a little more gently this time. He’s still holding onto my face when we break the kiss. He’s staring deep into my eyes and looks like he wants to say something. “What?”
“Kelsey… I love you.”
The racing in my heart has come to a complete halt. My face flushes with heat and my stomach flutters. Someone pinch me because this can’t be real… can it? Joey Brooks loves me?!
This feels incredibly fast, but at the same time feels like it took forever to get here. From the moment he kissed me last night, I knew it deep in my soul. I don’t want to waste another second without him knowing how I feel because it’s a no-brainer…
“I love you, too.” A beaming smile takes over my face.
“Thank fuck,” he exhales like he was holding his breath. “I was worried it was too soon.”
I know this phase of our relationship is new, but we’ve had a rock-solid foundation for so long that the transition was seamless. “I don’t think it could ever be too soon — not when we’ve known each other as long as we have.” My hand finds the orchid pendant laying around my neck. “You know me better than anyone, clearly.”
“You better get used to being spoiled, Angel. I’ve got a lot of lost time to make up for,” Joey smirks before laying a kiss on my cheek.
“I don’t need to be spoiled, Joey. I just need you.”
When we get home, the entire vibe is different — in the best way possible. Joey wraps his arms around me from behind as I hang my coat up. The scent of his cologne washes over me and I let out a small moan.
Joey pushes my hair off to one side, giving him access to kiss up and down my neck. His hands are in such constant motion that my body is in sensory overdrive. It’s not until his hand cups my pussy over my pants that everything snaps into focus. I need him now.
“Joey…” I whine softly. He hums in my ear before he nips at it, sending a shiver down my spine. “Please…”
“Is this what you want, Angel?” He unbuttons my pants and shoves his fingers inside, rubbing tiny circles over my clit. My knees start to buckle, but his grip around my torso holds me steady.
