He scans my face closely, his chest barely moving as he holds his breath. “You are?”
I nod. “Looks like you’re stuck with me.”
His grin is a beautiful thing as he wraps his arm around my shoulders. “In that case, let’s start planning now.”
We spend a perfect hour wandering over every inch of the field, laughing and muttering as we share ideas, hopes, and plans for the future. I wouldn’t change any of it, except to have everyone here.
“Hudson?” I ask, when we reach the parking lot. “Where’s Cade?”
He winces. “I might have lost track of time a little. He’s waiting for you.” He opens his car door, leaning in and pulling out another envelope, waving it at me. “One more stop to go.”
It’s not signed, but it doesn’t need to be.
Under the stars.
Nerves start to kick in again as Hudson drives us away from our future home. He leaves me to my own thoughts, whistling softly as he drives back towards the city, pulling up exactly where I expected him to.
The museum.
Hudson gets out, opening the door for me with a slightly goofy sweeping bow. “After you, madam.”
I play along, even though my heart is pounding fit to burst. “Why, thank you, kind sir.”
He pushes a strand of hair back off my face, giving me the gentlest kiss before he steps back. “We’ll see you in a minute.”
I retrace our steps from our previous visit, my boots tapping out as I enter the empty, cavernous hall. It’s completely empty, and I glance around.
I know where I’m going.
Every exhibit is lit up as I make my way through, from the thousands of lanterns to the aquarium. But my feet slow as I reach the double doors. I know Cade is behind there.
The planetarium is just as glorious as it was during my first visit, and I pause, taking in the night sky, so close that it feels like if I reach out, I could brush my finger against a planet.
“Gabrielle.” Cade is watching me, his hands pushed deep into the pockets of his suit.
My heart feels like it’s too big for my chest as I approach him. “I’m sorry I’m late.”
He cocks his head. “Should I take that as a good sign?”
“Maybe.” I chew on my lip. “I guess that depends on what you’re going to say.”
He saunters towards me, his eyes flickering with the light of the planets above our heads.
“I think you know what I’m going to say,” he breathes. He stops, close enough to me that I have to crane my neck to look up at his face, our breaths mingling and his eyes hooded.
“I don’t know. I’ve been surprised a few times today.”
He smiles. “Did you like the field?”
My heart thumps erratically. “I did. I’d like to go back, with everyone this time.”
“We can arrange that.” His hands come up to cup my face. “I have realized that I’m not a particularly patient man when it comes to you, Gabrielle.”
My eyes widen, my cheeks heating as he strokes them with his fingers. “You’re not?”
I’ve always thought Cade hadinfinitepatience. A little too much, even.
“Maybe in the bedroom,” he acknowledges, his lips twitching. “But not when it comes to you as part of our pack. I don’t want to wait anymore, dancing around the subject. So I’m laying it out on the table.”
