Nathan chuckled. “So, what’s the verdict now that you’ve definitely seen me without it?”
Glorious. Award-winning. Swoon-worthy.
I don’t say any of that though, instead I shrugged, feigning indifference. “Eh. Titan has better—ahh!” My words morphed into a yelp when Nathan swept me off my feet and into his arms and spun me around.
“What were you going to say, Cupcake?” Nathan pinned me with a look that sent a heady mix of thrill and nervousness spiraling through me.
“Nothing.” I answered, breathlessly.
“I thought so.” Nathan replied in a tone that inflicted a delicious dip in my stomach. As if able to tell, Nathan’s smirk deepened before he leaned in and pressed his lips against mine, making the dip turn into a full-on ache that spread through me. So I was a little surprised when Nathan was the first one to pull away. “I have one more surprise.”
“Okay.” Heat crawled up to my cheeks at how breathless I sounded, but I didn’t protest when Nathan steadied me back on my feet.
Nathan led me to Cinderella’s castle, which was bathed in sparkling lights. To my surprise, a small orchestra waited for us, playing a soft, romantic tune I recognized instantly—Fall Again. My favorite scene from Maid in Manhattan came rushing back without warning.
“What is this," I whispered, my heart in my throat.
“Can I have this dance?” Nathan extended his hand out to me.
Grinning, I took his hand, and he pulled me into his arms. We swayed under the stars, the music carrying us as if we were the only two people in the world. Something shifted in my chest, quiet but undeniable.
“I love you,” I blurted, my voice barely above a whisper. Nathan stilled, his gaze searching mine. For a moment, I thought I’d made a terrible mistake. But then he gave me that soft, vulnerable smile he reserved only for me, and when he kissed me beneath the castle lights, I realized I’d never felt more alive, more cherished, or more certain that this man was my forever.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
ELISE
“YOU NEED TOhave his babies right now and give him nothing less than a soccer team!” Kelsey exclaimed.
“Stop,” I giggled, as I picked up my Stanley cup so I could take a sip of water. I just finished recapping for her my trip back home, including Nathan’s romantic surprise of renting out Disney World for me. I still can’t believe he did that. No one has ever done something as sweet and thoughtful for me before. “I expect this behavior out of Alessia.”
Kelsey, currently disguised as Rhodium, and I were rehearsing for an award show performance of her latest single, which was about being a man’s inspiration in the bedroom. I’d stopped being surprised by how easily Kelsey Henderson slipped into Rhodium.
One minute she was baking oatmeal cookies in Hello Kitty pajama shorts, and the next she was working a crowd, draped across the lap of a music legend.
“I had to channel my inner Alessia after hearing what you just said.” Kelsey joked. “Who knew Nathan Edge was a romantic?”
Definitely not me. I thought for sure the man didn’t have a romantic bone in his body, but I was never more glad to be wrong.
“No wonder you said I love you,” Kelsey continued. “I’d say I love you too if a guy rented out the happiest place on Earth for me.”
It was so much more than just the big gesture of Disney World and more about the ones that came before. I knew I was falling in love with Nathan when we spent the day in Colmar but our weekend in Florida solidified it.
“He didn’t say it back though,” I frowned just a little. I didn't know if he’d say it back, but I hoped he would.
Kelsey’s face softened. “He will. Anyone with eyes can see that man is in love with you,” She reassured me.
I relaxed my shoulders, letting her words wash over me for a second before I clapped my hands, forcing myself to go back into choreographer mode.
“Alright. Enough about my love life,” I said. “Run it back.”
I leaned back against the mirrored wall, arms crossed as I watched Kelsey run the sequence on her own. She had the steps down, but something was off. Her dancing was a little stiff, like she was afraid the floor might crack if she went all in.
“Stop,” I called, lifting a hand before she could finish. The music cut, her chest heaving as she looked over at me.
“You’re clean,” I said, pushing off the wall to stand up, “but you’re dancing like you’re auditioning for a recital, not owning a stage with thousands of people screaming your name.”
Her brows knit. “I thought I hit it.”
