He looked good enough to eat. I bit my lower lip as I turned to face him and leaned back against the counter. Duke leaned forward and kissed the corner of my mouth since I had on lipstick, then leaned down to place a kiss against my belly.
"You better cut it out before you ruin the surprise."
I groaned and followed him out of the bathroom with my heels in my hand. Duke had paid for me to get my feet and nails done. For some reason he was going all out to make today special. It wasn't unusual for him. If I wasn't happy, neither was he.
But today had a little more umph added to it. Normally he would have bent me over the sink and given me something to moan and groan about.
Duke turned around to face me.
"You ready, love?"
My brow lifted. Normally he called me Sweets. But when he said love, he was in his feelings and trying to be delicate with me. This man was going to have me stressed out trying to figure out what he had up his sleeve.
"Yes. Are you ready to tell me what you have planned?" I asked.
Duke smiled and leaned down to pick me up bridal style, then carried me downstairs and out to my car. We had been using my car more often now that I was pregnant. He only rode his bike when he needed to handle Thorn or Chrome business.
Once he was sure I was comfortable in the passenger seat, he closed the door and strolled around to the driver's side. I was practically staring a hole into the side of his face, hoping he would give me something.
"Patience, love. Staring at me all night isn't going to make me change my mind about this being a surprise. Can't I do something nice for you?" he asked.
I poked my lower lip out. "Yes, you can. But I still want to know. I'm anxious."
Duke pulled out of the driveway and onto the street, then reached across the armrest to hold my hand.
"What are you anxious about? Aren't you always safe with me?"
I didn't have to think twice about the answer.
"Absolutely."
"Then allow your man to show you how special you are, love."
I released a sigh and leaned back into my seat, deciding to watch my surroundings instead, hoping I could figure out where we were going. Twenty minutes passed before he parked along the street near the food trucks.
I pointed to my outfit. "Um, baby, you got me this dressed up for a hot dog? I like hot dogs but I could have worn my jeans and a t-shirt for that."
Duke laughed and put the car in park, then got out and walked around to the passenger side. Once he opened the door, I handed him my heels. He dropped down to one knee, placed my foot on his knee, then slipped my heel on and laced it up comfortably but snug. He did the same with the other foot, then helped me out of the car.
We stood outside and he pulled a pink blindfold from his pocket.
"Do I have to put that on?" I asked.
"Humor me, love."
I nodded and he reached out to cover my eyes. My equilibrium immediately felt off, but the moment my hand intertwined with his, I felt steady.
He led me a few steps, then told me to stop and turned me to face right.
"Stay there, love."
I stood patiently as "Find Someone Like You" by Snoh Aalegra played softly around me. My heart hammered in my chest as he finally spoke again.
"Remove the blindfold, love."
I hesitantly reached up with shaky hands and pulled it away. My hands shot up to my mouth and my eyes immediately misted at the sight before me. Duke was standing in front of a large heart wrapped in pink and white flowers with glowing letters that read,Will You Marry Me.
I glanced down at my feet, finally noticing the white rose petals that had led me straight to him. Scottie's food truck was lit up behind him, reminding me of the first time I ever saw Duke. I’d bumped into him and knocked over his skittles.
