“That’s not what tonight is about,” he says, giving me another bite of the juicy fruit. “If I have it my way, we’ll have the rest of our lives together. There’s no reason to rush. I want you to be sure I’m who you want. Because, Princess”—he tips my chin until I’m looking at him—“if you agree to spend your life with me, there’s no way I’m ever letting you go again.”
I openmy eyes and glance at the ring box.
Last night was one of the best nights I’d had in a long time.
After we finished dessert, we went for a walk along the beach, and then after we showered—together, at my insistence—Kane slid into bed behind me and held me all night long.
Maybe I’m being irrational or jumping the gun, but I love Kane, and I want to be with him. Not because I want to be in love or because I’m pregnant with his baby, but because I want to love him and spend my life with him. He’s who I want, and I’m not going to waste another moment without telling him so.
When I turn over to talk to him, I’m met with the empty side of his bed and a note with his chicken scratch scribbled across it.
Princess,
I have an early meeting with Jim. I’ll call you afterward. I hope your morning sickness isn’t too bad. I’ll see you tonight.
XO,
Kane
Glancing from the note to the ring box, I make a decision.
I want to be with Kane, and I’m done wasting time.
I find his name in my text thread and send him a message.
Brielle
Good morning. I hope everything goes okay with Jim. I’d like to talk to you tonight. Since you took me out on a date last night, I’d like to take you out on one tonight.
And then I lift the lid and pluck the beautiful ring out of the box and slide it onto my finger. I stare at it for several seconds, waiting for my gut to indicate I’m making the wrong decision, but when it doesn’t come, I breathe a sigh of relief, ready to start the next chapter of my life as Kane’s wife.
Since I have a lot to do to get the studio reopened, I climb out of bed and jump in the shower. I’m blow-drying my hair when my phone rings with a call from Matteo.
Since he isn’t one for idle chitchat, I answer it right away, hoping nothing has happened to Dani or the baby.
“Hey, is everything okay?”
“No,” he says gravely. “But before I tell you, I need you to remember you’re pregnant, so you need to stay calm.”
“Telling a pregnant woman something is wrong but to stay calm is counterintuitive. Tell me what happened.”
Matteo sighs. “You need to get to North Harbor Point Medical. Kane’s been shot.”
Kane’s been shot.
My mind goes back to several years ago, watching Owen get shot and killed.
“He’s been shot?” I whisper.
My heart is racing. My breathing labored.
Memories of seeing Owen on the ground, bleeding out. Begging him to live. Knowing he was dead and I’d never see him again.
My gaze goes to my ring.
My husband has been shot.
