17. Chapter 17
Chapter 17
Caleb
“Are you sure Vegas is safe now?” Amelia asks as we ride the elevator to the top of the STRAT. “Did you get all the bad guys?”
I wish. “Not even close. But nothing will happen to you ever again because I’m never letting you out of my sight.”
“Even in the bathroom? Because that’s where I draw the line.”
I roll my eyes and approach the hostess, who directs us to our table next to the windows. The view is stunning. But I’m not looking out the windows. The woman in the bright pink dress has all my attention. She always has, since the moment I met her.
We order appetizers and a main course, then a dessert that makes Amelia do a happy dance in delight. The evening is calm and perfect.
I don’t want any more surprises after this day.
“So.” Amelia sits back, talking for the first time since she received her chocolate mousse cake. “I guess I don’t get to be a P.I.” She scrunches up her nose in a way that makes me think she’s not all that upset by it.
“You know I’d support you in anything,” I whisper, grabbing her hand across the table.
“Yeah, but…” She lifts a shoulder. “I was wrong. The secret wasn’t your dad. And I came all the way to Vegas, intruded into your case, and nearly got us all killed in the process.” She looks up at me with blue eyes that break my soul in two.
“It could have happened to anyone.” It wouldn’t because somehow these things only follow her around, but it could have. “You are brave and smart, and you got us out of that mess.”
Her lips tip up in the corner. “I did do that, didn’t I?”
I rub a small circle over the back of her hand. “You did.”
“I did something else too,” she says, her voice turning light and airy.
“Oh?”
Her eyes connect with mine and she grins. “I did figure out your secret, just way too late. And now I’m going to win.”
I frown. “What?”
“I kind of overheard Maddie and Connor talking on the way to the hotel, and decided to beat you at your own game.” She slides out of the table and onto her knees.
Wha—“Nope.” I slip onto my knee, and pick her up by the waist, helping her back into the chair. My bruised body rejects this position, but I've been dreaming about this moment for months. Not even a broken rib or two will stop me. “That’s my question to ask.”
Her laugh echoes through the restaurant and people look over, gasping and sighing, but nothing takes my attention off of this woman.
“This was my secret and I get to do it.” I raise her hand to my lips, kissing the back of it as I slip the box out of my pocket.
She squeals, her knees shaking and her eyes clouding over. She’s not going to let me get all the words out. That’s okay because I have the rest of my life to show her how much I love her.
“Amelia Quinn, you came into my world and tipped it upside down. And I had no idea that was exactly what I needed. You make me a better man—”
Her squeals get louder, and she covers her mouth with her hand. I shake my head. “I will spend every hour of every day showing you how much I love you. Will you marry me?”
“Yes!” Her voice is so loud and clear, the room erupts in applause. She flies out of her seat and straight at me. As it so often happens when I’m around Amelia Quinn, she knocks me off balance and takes me to the floor. Pain encapsulates every inch of my body, but it's worth it for this moment right here. I wheeze a laugh as she pops her head up above me, her wild curls framing her face. “Yes, I’ll marry you, Agent Sexy Pants.”
And then she kisses me. On the floor of the STRAT, with many onlookers, without a care in the world.
“I can’t wait to be Mrs. Sexy Pants.”
“Didn't I tell you? You always have been.”