“And then you two ‘broke up,’” Grandpa continues, gesturing toward Calvin, “and suddenly this guy’s calling me out of the blue, asking if your grandma and I need anything. I should’ve known something else was going on.”
My heart warms at his words, a revelation I hadn’t known. Calvin had been quietly looking out for my grandparents. He doesn’t realize how much that means to me.
Grandpa’s expression softens, though his voice carries a touch of his usual gruffness. “It’ll take some getting used to, I won’t lie. But as long as everyone involved is happy and keeps their promises, you have my blessing.”
“We just want the two of you to be happy and faithful to each other,” my grandmother adds with a gentle smile.
“Thank you,” Calvin and I say in unison.
“Now that that is settled,” Abigail declares, standing up, “I’m starving.”
“There’s a restaurant in Paris I know. I’ll give them a quick call,” Calvin says, leaning down to kiss my temple before stepping away to make the arrangements.
Grandma clasps Grandpa’s arm as they rise. “Alright, dear, we should go get ready,” she says, guiding him toward one of the ground-floor rooms.
Abigail pulls me into a tight hug, her voice soft against my ear. “I’m so proud of you,” she whispers before heading upstairs to find her room.
I can’t stop the smile that spreads across my face. For the first time in weeks, everything feels a little lighter.
After a delightful dinner at the restaurant, where my grandparents pepper Calvin and me with more questions about our relationship, we return to the Airbnb, or, as I now know, Calvin’s house. Exhausted from jet lag, my grandparents and Abigail head straight to bed.
As I watch them disappear upstairs, Calvin leans closer. “I want to show you something. Come with me,” he says, holding out his hand.
I smile and let him lead me down the hall. We stop in front of a room I haven’t explored yet, a door that was closed earlier when I looked around.
Calvin pulls a key from his pocket and unlocks it with a soft click. “This will be my office,” he says, stepping aside so I can enter first.
The room is sleek and minimalistic, just like his office in the Boston penthouse. A mahogany desk sits at the center, flanked by a high-end computer setup and a neatly stocked bar in the corner. Of course, it’s filled with his favorite Hennessy. A plush sofa adds a touch of warmth to the otherwise professional space.
“It’s beautiful,” I say, taking in every detail. My eyes land on a framed photo sitting on his desk, the selfie I nervously took during our first date at the club. I smile, my heart swelling at the memory.
Calvin moves to another door, his lips curling into a playful smile. “And because I can’t have you too far away…” He opens it with a flourish. “This is your office.”
A gasp escapes me, loud enough to echo down the hall. I rush inside, overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of the space.
The room is breathtaking, every detail carefully thought out. High ceilings with intricate moldings make the space feel grand, while a stunning chandelier casts a soft, golden glow.
The walls are painted a soft blush pink, perfectly complementing the white marble floors veined with gold. In one corner, a velvet sofa in deep fuchsia beckons, piled with silk and satin pillows in shades of pink and gold. A nearby glass coffee table holds an assortment of glossy fashion magazines and a delicate porcelain tea set.
My breath catches when I see the desk. It’s sleek and modern, with a glossy white surface accented in gold. On top sits luxurious stationery and a vase of fresh peonies, their soft petals radiating elegance. Behind the desk, a towering bookshelf holds fashion books, fabric swatches, and even miniature dress forms.
In another corner, a sewing machine stands ready for use, and when I open the closet, I’m greeted by shelves stacked with the most beautiful fabrics I’ve ever seen. Tears spill over as I take it all in, my heart full to bursting.
“Calvin…” I choke out, turning to face him. He leans casually against the doorframe, watching me with a tender smile that makes my knees weak.
“Love, honor, happiness, wealth, romance, and beauty,” he says, nodding toward the peonies on the desk. His tone shifts, turning serious. “I have something to tell you, and something to ask you.”
“What is it?” I ask, trying to steady my voice.
He takes a deep breath. “I’ve been offered the chance to design the tallest building in New York.”
My face lights up, and I don’t let him finish before I throw myself into his arms. “Calvin, that’s amazing! I’m so happy for you!”
He laughs, holding me close. “Thank you, love, but you didn’t let me finish. I haven’t accepted.”
I pull back, frowning, “Why not?”
“Because I wasn’t sure where you’d want to go after graduation,” he admits.
