Page 141 of Fame & Chaos

“We’re eating here?” she asks, looking up at the elegant building. “Won’t they be closed by now? Or full of people?”

I take her hand and squeeze it reassuringly. “I called ahead. It’s just us in there today. Romantic lunch for two.”

Her teeth sink into her bottom lip, and the shy smile she gives me instantly sends heat rushing straight through my body.

Fuck, she’s sexy.

I park the car and climb out before hurrying around to open her door. The moment she steps out beside me, I slide my arm around her shoulders and tug her against my side. She laughs softly and wraps her arm around my waist as we walk together toward the restaurant entrance.

“So you basically hired out an entire restaurant just for me?” she asks.

I shrug casually. “Pretty much.”

“That must’ve cost a fortune.”

Leaning down, I press a kiss to her temple. “Nothing’s too expensive when it comes to making my girl happy.”

Her expression softens instantly, and she snuggles closer into my side as we step through the enormous glass doors together.

Our late lunch, which somehow turned into an early dinner, is honestly one of the most perfect experiences of my life.

The food is incredible, the string quartet plays softly in the background, and the setup turned out exactly as I envisioned.

A single table sits in the center of the room, beneath the enormous crystal chandelier, surrounded by candles and flowers. I even had them remove all the other tables so the floor could be covered with scattered rose petals and hundreds of flickering tea candles. It’s over the top, dramatic as hell, and unapologetically romantic.

Exactly what she deserves.

I know we’ve only officially been together for a matter of hours, but I need Indi to understand something very clearly.

She will never have to question how loved she is again.

I’ve loved her for too long to half-ass this now that I finally have her.

Maybe I am a secret romantic beneath the leather jackets and tattoos. It probably explains why every song I write revolves around her in some way. Every lyric, every melody, every emotion I pour into music somehow leads back to Indi.

So naturally, I want to give her the kind of romance I sing about. I want her to know I’ll stop at nothing to make her feel cherished every single day.

“Caleb, you spoil me,” she whispers.

My eyes immediately drop to her mouth as she licks melted chocolate from her pinky finger after dessert, and fuck me, that simple movement nearly kills me.

“I’ll spoil you every day if you let me,” I reply honestly.

She giggles softly and places her spoon into the empty dessert bowl. “This was unbelievable. Seriously perfect and completely unexpected.” Her expression softens as she looks around the candlelit restaurant. “But you don’t have to flash money around to show me you care, you know?”

I lean back slightly in my chair, suddenly unsure. “You don’t like it?”

Her eyes widen instantly. “Oh no, Caleb, that’s not what I meant at all.” She reaches across the table toward me. “I love this. I honestly do. It’s beautiful. I’m just… not used to extravagance like this. I’m a pretty simple girl.” Relief immediately loosens the tightness in my chest. “But don’t misunderstand me,” she adds quickly. “I love all of this. It’s incredible.”

I sit forward again, resting my forearms on the table before taking both of her hands in mine. “Indi, I know you want us to take things slowly, and we will. But I need to be honest with you about something.”

Her expression turns cautious but attentive.

“Okay…”

I take a steadying breath. “I want to marry you.” Her eyes bulge so wide I almost laugh immediately. “Not now,” I say quickly with a chuckle. “Jesus, don’t panic.”

She exhales shakily while pressing her hand to her chest.