Part 11 (1/2)

So many things suddenly make sense. I might not understand the adoption part of things, but now it doesn't matter. I get it. I get why Ware and Mom are here, and why Ware needs money. I've doubted him all along, but now I feel like the world's biggest a.s.s. Why didn't they just tell Dad what they needed? Dad would have pulled out his credit card in a heartbeat for his only granddaughter, no questions asked. Instead, he's making Ware earn the money, and in some way his place in this family. Dad doesn't give handouts; he never has. He believes everything worth having will be more appreciated if it's earned.

And maybe that's it. Maybe that philosophy is ingrained in Ware even though Dad didn't raise him. I thought Ware was earning our trust, but now I think I might have it all backwards. He isn't trying to earn our respect; he's giving us a chance to earn his.

Sometimes knowledge is a burden. I know these things now, but I've got no clue what the right thing to do about them is.

”Keep looking, and keep very close tabs on the child. If her condition becomes critical, I want to know it.” My mood is heavier as Ian and I head back downstairs to get to work. I wonder what my niece looks like, and if I'll ever get to meet her. Woah... I'm obviously getting ahead of myself.

I'm pa.s.sing by my office, headed to the back stockroom, when Angel's voice coming through my office door catches my attention. It sounds like she's crying.

I freeze, my first impulse to burst in there to fix whatever is causing her sorrow. But then I hear my name. ”Things are different with Arion now, Mom,” she says, sniffling. ”They have been since his family got here.”

She's quiet for her moment, and I imagine her mother is saying something. Have I really been that different? I know I've been a bit moody, and busier than usual, but that's because of trying to start this second location.

”I think I really p.i.s.sed him off, and I'm not sure he trusts me anymore. And I understand, I guess. I talked to his mom behind his back, and then she showed up. And then I had a snit about him and Eva.” I hear the venom in her words when she mentions Eva's name. Something about Angel feeling territorial over me makes me smile. But when I hear what she says next, my smile instantly vanishes.

”I'm not even sure he wants to marry me anymore. I told him I was ready over a week ago, but maybe I made him wait too long. What if he's changed his mind?”

It nearly kills me to leave her there, sobbing on the other side of the door, but this I can fix. And she's not the one I need to talk to in order to do it.

Chapter Twenty-One.

a-aa- I spent a lot of yesterday on the phone, changing around my proposal plans. I hate that my desire to do everything perfectly let Angel think for even one moment that I might have changed my mind. And I get itabefore, I'm pretty sure that I gave her the impression I'd drop to one knee the moment she was ready. Maybe all the secret planning I've been doing has made me seem a bit tuned-out to her. But that will change today.

It didn't take much effort to get Dad to change his plans for dinner tonight with Ware and Chelsea, when I told him why. He's going to meet us at the bar later for a celebratory dinner instead. Ware's taking the day off from Chelsea guard duty, in order to help out by picking up an extra s.h.i.+ft at the bar tonight. With that out of the way, and the boutique willing to change the reservation date for me thanks to a hefty fee, everything is ready. Chelsea called Angel yesterday and rescheduled their shopping date, after she met with Brandy at the boutique and arranged some of the finer details. Like dresses. Chelsea's in a panic. She screeched obscenities at me on the phone last night when I told her that I was hoping to schedule the wedding for New Year's Eve. But how was I supposed to know that three weeks is a ridiculously short amount of time for planning a wedding?

Whatever. The girls should be here soon, and that's all that matters.

Right on cue, I see them stroll through the front door of the mall. Once they're a safe distance ahead, I slip out of my hiding place behind a large potted tree, and follow them. Chelsea wanted me to wait in a dressing room in the boutique, but the thought of being stuck in there waiting until the last moment made me feel claustrophobic. I know I'm risking getting caught, but I can't help it.

There are too many other voices nearby to hear what the girls are talking about, but when Chelsea turns toward Angel I see that her face is flushed. I hurry my pace, getting closer so I can listen in.

”I do understand, you know,” Tess says. ”Your brother can be sort of overwhelming when it comes to money. He goes way crazy with it, and after not being used to having it, it's easy to forget just how easy things are for him. But you were raised around it, so I'm not quite sure I get it.”

Crazy my a.s.s.

”I was raised around it, but that doesn't mean I was a part of it. It was never mine, and I think I'd feel the same if I ended up with someone wealthy. Like their wealth wasn't mine. Like it could all be gone in an instant. I'd rather have something we work together to achieve and build, and know that it's a product of our love and hard work.”

What the h.e.l.l? Is Chelsea trying to convince her not to marry me? I might have to beat her with her own rusty spoon. I hope Angel knows that won't be a problem for us, especially since we're going to build Melt together. It will be ours.

I drop back as Chelsea guides Angel into the boutique where I brought her shopping right after she showed up on my doorstep. My heart beats excitedly in my chest. I have to wait outside the store until someone signals me that they're in position. I smooth my hands over the front of my tux, making sure everything is in place. The ring is tucked in a box in my left pocket, and the weight of it gives me a little comfort.

They must be close to the door at one point, because Chelsea's voice drifts out. Or maybe she's speaking extra-loud for my benefit. ”Listen. Don't let my rambling and worries for one second undermine what you and Axel have. You guys have a love that's timeless. It's the thing of fairy tales and Hallmark movies. Rich, poor, none of it will ever matter, because you guys were meant for each other. He's crazy about you.”

I can't hear Angel's response, but I hope she believes Chelsea's words as thoroughly as I do. I know the moment is drawing near, and nerves. .h.i.t me all at once. Christ, what if she says no? I suck in a sharp breath, trying to pull myself together.

Brandy looks like she can barely contain her excitement as she sticks her head out of the store and ushers me inside. We walk quickly but silently back to the changing rooms. My stomach churns, and I feel like I've swallowed a bolt of lightning.

Chelsea's gaze meets mine, and her eyes are warm and happy. ”You'll be fine,” she mouths silently to me, then goes and sits in a far corner, leaving me alone to wait for the dressing-room door to open.

I think about dropping to one knee now, but decide against it, instead tucking my hands behind my back, my gaze fixed on the door.

The latch rattles. My breath hitches in my throat, and then Angel steps out looking like a water nymph in a s.h.i.+mmering blue gown. Her eyes widen when she sees me, and tears immediately fill her eyes. She's smiling, though, and when I drop to one knee before her she lets out a little gasp. Her hands fly to her mouth, and I know she's going to say yes.

”Tess.” My voice sounds much calmer than I feel, and I hope she can hear how much I love her.

She sobs as her tears break free, and she trips forward, smiling, to clasp her arms around my neck. ”Yes!”

It's all I can do not to laugh. I've planned out every moment of this, but I should know my girl does things her own way. ”You have to let me ask, Angel,” I tell her warmly. My heart is trying to explode out of my chest, my love for her overflowing. I nudge her slightly so she'll move back.

She nods, her face radiant with glee. ”But I already know the answer.”

I hear someone giggling behind me.

I give her a patient lookaat least I hope it comes off as patient.

Angel laughs. ”Fine. But hurry up, so I can say yes.”

I take a deep breath, never taking my eyes off her. ”Tess, will you let me start the New Year off the way I plan to spend the rest of my yearsaas your husband?”

Behind me, I hear gowns rustling as the staff brings in the a.s.sortment of wedding dresses Chelsea picked out for Angel to try on. But the only sound I want to hear is Angel's answer.

”New Year's?” she asks, panic flitting briefly across her pale face.

I just nod.

”Yes,” she whispers, leaning down to kiss me. Her hands cup my cheeks with the gentlest touch. When her lips brush mine, they're full of promise and hope. I flick my tongue against her lip, asking for entry, then plunge inside her mouth when her lips part for me. She tastes like sunlight and honey, and I know I'll never get enough. But I don't have my ring on her finger yet, and I can't wait another moment. I pull away and slide the delicate band onto her tiny finger. Seeing it sparkle there, set against her skin at last, is almost too much. I have to choke back my emotion before I make a complete fool of myself. Angel grabs my hand, pulling me to my feet.

She said yes! I scoop her up and lift her off the ground in a huge hug, spinning her around and around as happiness floods through me.

”Thank you,” she says softly in my ear. ”Thank you for waiting until I was ready.”

I'm about to kiss her again and tell her that I would have waited forever if that's what it took, but Chelsea interrupts, pulling Angel away from me as I set her on the ground. ”Yeah, yeah, he waited to ask, but now you've only got three weeks to plan. I had them bring in a few wedding dress I thought you'd like, but we can look elsewhere if you want. Just remember, we don't have much time if we're going to get it altered by the wedding.”

Angel's hand is tucked into mine as she smiles at Chelsea. ”You were in on this?”

”Of course,” Chelsea says. ”Now pick a d.a.m.n dress before I have to beat you with my rusty spoon.”

I'm undeniably happy, but seeing Chelsea staring wistfully at Angel, I wonder if I should say something to her about Ware and the secrets he's hiding. Is that his story to tell, or is this one of those cases where what you don't know can hurt you?

Chapter Twenty-Two.

a-aa- I guess it was too much to hope that Angel would be so happy with our engagement that she'd let me out of dinner with my mom.