Page 67 of The Decoy

“We have one more gift,” I say, my voice cutting through the voices around us.

I reach down to grab a small bag beneath my chair, pulling out a polished wooden box tied with a simple leather cord. I turn to face him completely, holding the box toward him with both hands.

“This is for you, Brody,” I say, smiling. “A day late for your birthday, but I think it’s perfect for today.”

The guests go quiet and lean forward to see Brody look down at the gift in my hands. His brows furrow in confusion.

“Ellis, you already got my mom and sister here,” he says, his voice only meant for me. “You didn’t need to get me anything else.”

“Open it,” I tell him, my tone leaving no room for argument.

He takes it from me and unties the cord, flipping the lid open. Inside, resting on a bed of dark red velvet, is a pocket watch polished to a mirror finish. Brody carefully lifts the watch from the box and turns it over in his palm to read the engraving on the back.

Brody—

Our time started with you.

Love always, Ellis

Brody goes completely still.

He stares down at the engraved lettering, his broad thumb rubbing slowly over the words. The composure he usually maintains for the rest of the world cracks for a brief second, replaced by something raw.

He looks up from the watch, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that burns right through the afternoon light.

Without saying a word to the people watching us, Brody reaches down, cups my face in both hands, and pulls me into a possessive kiss.

The room erupts in cheers and whistles. Lauren squeals in her seat, June wipes her eyes with a tissue, but I simply lean into him, resting my hands against the solid wall of his chest.

When he finally pulls back, his breath is uneven, and his eyes are dark with something between love and desire.

“You’re something else, Princess,” he rasps.

“I am, aren’t I?” I tease, a smirk playing on my lips. “Now help me get out of this chair. I’m ready for some cake.”

He lets out a rumbling laugh, sliding his arm around my waist to support me as I stand.

I see that my father and Bryan finally arrive after a golf outing earlier in the day and walk over to say hello to Brody and me. Almost like they timed it with the cake cutting.

We slice the cake, and our guests scatter again, armed with the sweet, decadent dessert, coffee, and wine.

I stand near the table, leaning back against Brody’s chest as he stands behind me, his arms wrapped around my waist, resting over my stomach. We watch as his mom and sister blend in with our friends and my family.

Our two worlds blending. No pretense, no awkwardness, and no hesitation.

“I love that all of our people are here together.” I turn my head against Brody’s shoulder to look at his face. “I think your mom might adopt Alie, and I think my mom and Lauren are planning a vacation together or something. It’s like my mom has another daughter now.”

“My mom and sister recognize good people,” Brody chuckles against my cheek. “And we have a good crew here, Ellis.”

“That we do. Me and this baby are so lucky to have you and them in our lives.”

He looks down at me, his eyes loving and sincere. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. It’s just hard to believe that in ten weeks or less, he’ll be in our arms.”

“Ten weeks,” I repeat, laying my hand over his.

A strong kick presses against us, a small reminder that he’s coming soon. Brody lets out a laugh, his hand pressing gently against the movement.

“We know, little dude, and we’re so excited.”