Chapter 32
The Bellagio fountains explode in a symphony of water and light, and the cool spray speckles my cheeks.
Fall in Vegas is finally here—scorching days traded for crisp nights and a breeze that whispers promises of new beginnings.
It’s been four months since the book event where Nate begged me for another chance in front of…
the entire internet, as it turns out. The video’s still out there, racking up millions of views.
People recognize us sometimes, but Nate?
He won’t admit it to anyone else, but he kind of hates the attention.
I glance over at him. He’s watching me, not the fountains. His gaze is warm and steady, the way it always is when I’m lost in thought.
“What’s on your mind, Gingersnap?” The nickname from Fiji has become a staple in our lives together. Just like Gnat, even though Nate is far from annoying. At least most of the time.
I smile, tugging my leather jacket closer. “I’m just thinking about how famous I am from your book event and with season three of Rush out. I wonder how long it’ll take for my own reality show offer to roll in.”
Nate snorts, but his jaw tightens ever so slightly. “You’re not serious.”
I bump his arm with mine. “You should know better.”
We’re both better behind the scenes than in front of the camera. Though watching the latest season of Rush, no one would ever know it.
Probably why the show has already been picked up for two more seasons.
Nate’s shoulders relax, but I’ve struck a nerve.
His ex, Nina, became all about the influencer life—living for likes, trying to build a brand off the brothers’ coattails, losing herself and Nate in the process.
It’s not a story Nate tells easily, but I know enough to understand why my sudden viral fame isn’t his favorite thing.
Though the spotlight at his book event meant us coming back together, which is his favorite thing.
Still, Nate smiles down at me, his gray eyes crinkling at the corners. “As long as you don’t make me star on your socials, we’ll survive.”
“Deal,” I tease, and his grin widens even as something unspoken lingers between us.
Dinner earlier was at our favorite Italian spot where we’ve started celebrating our biggest milestones: our first real date as just Nate and Abigail, me finding the perfect office space for my agency, Nate finishing the first draft of his next novel (something his suspense/thriller publisher was actually, well, thrilled with), managing enough clients’ brands to warrant bringing Corina over full time…
But tonight, I’m not sure what we’re celebrating—unless it’s this morning’s sex marathon. Maybe it’s just being here together, watching the fountains’ shimmering dance light up the crisp desert night.
The air smells faintly of cinnamon churros and some kind of floral perfume drifting from the nearby casino. Nate continues looking at me as if he can’t believe I’m real.
I can’t believe he is either. Nate Bannam, the love of my life I never saw coming, but somehow my heart always knew what he looked like. Literally, given my heart first led me to Brody.
“Somehow, being here with you still feels weird,” I blurt out.
Nate’s brow furrows. “Weird? That’s a choice word for a romantic night out.”
“No, not this.” I motion to the fountains and the city glowing around us. “I mean us. How we started. How we ended up here. Sometimes, I still feel like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.”
Nate’s hands find mine, warm and solid. “No more shoes, Abigail. We’re barefoot now.”
I laugh, rolling my eyes. “That’s the cheesiest thing you’ve ever said.”
A slow grin spreads across his face. “But it’s also true. You’re stuck with me.”
“Stuck, huh? Sounds so romantic.”
His eyes soften, the grin fading into something quieter, more serious. “It is romantic. If I have to say something extra cheesy to prove I’m not going anywhere, I’ll do it.”
Before I can reply, he pulls me toward a bench overlooking the fountains. The spray from the water catches the light, creating tiny sparkling rainbows in the air. It’s too perfect, like a scene out of a movie.
“I got you something,” Nate says, his voice suddenly quieter, more careful.
My stomach flips. “Nate…”
He pulls a small velvet box from his jacket pocket, and my heart stops. It’s not that kind of box, right? It’s too soon. There’s no way he’d?—
He opens it, and there’s no ring. Nestled inside is a circular locket on a delicate gold chain. I reach out, my fingers brushing against the cool metal, tracing the tiny etching of a shining star on the front.
“A locket?” My voice is barely above a whisper.
“For you,” he says, though my heart already knows. He helps me get it out of the box, dangling the necklace in front of me as I gently pry the locket open.
On the left is a photo of Sarah and me smiling at prom—one of our final happy memories together. On the right, a picture of Nate and me embracing after the first zipline in Fiji.
“Nate...” I say, blinking back a tear. “This is perfect.”
“There’s more to it.” He pinches the locket closed, so we’re looking at the star again.
He leans closer, his voice low and warm. “The star is to remind you of Fiji. The great times we had there but also how you’re braver than you give yourself credit for. I wanted you to have something to remind you of all that.”
My throat tightens, but he’s not finished. His eyes meet mine, and it’s like the entire world falls away.
“And because you’ve become my North Star, Abigail,” he says softly.
“Despite all the complications we’ve faced…
” he pauses, and I can tell we’re both thinking of Brody, of Fiji, of Nate walking away only to put everything on the line to get me back.
“You always bring me back to where I’m supposed to be. ”
I’m crying. Of course I’m crying. The necklace glints under the lights, but his words shine in my chest.
“I don’t know what to say,” I whisper, my fingers still tracing the locket.
“Say yes.”
“To what?” My heart flutters again.
“To me.” A crooked smile tugs at his lips. “Let’s move in together, Abigail.”
I hesitate. Not because I don’t want to move in together. I do. More than I can put into words. But the idea of taking that next step and blending our lives in a way so permanent, so real…it’s a little terrifying. A bit of a rush.
“You want to live with someone who drinks obscene amounts of coffee and listens to way too much Taylor Swift?” I say, keeping my voice light.
“Only if you want to live with someone who will sing off-key to all the Taylor Swift songs I brainwashed myself with while writing my romance novel.”
“You listened to Taylor Swift?”
He nods, and I shake my head in disbelief. This man, who claimed to only know a few Taylor Swift songs during karaoke night in Fiji but sang three with me, is so incredible it’s hard to believe we almost let each other go.
The locket feels heavy in my hand. It’s weighty, like all the best decisions, but this is a jump I’m more than ready to take with Nate.
“Yes, of course I’ll move in with you!” I say, throwing my arms around him. He catches me, and we laugh as we nearly topple off the bench. “But only if I get to pick the furniture.”
“Is it all going to be purple?”
“Guess you’ll have to wait and see.”
“Deal.” He pulls back just enough to kiss me. It feels like a promise, like a beginning and a happily ever after all at once.
The fountains burst into another display, and something shifts inside of me. I’ve spent so much of my life trying to be someone who is as incredible as Sarah, or good enough for Brody, or worthy of a promotion at BrandMe. With Nate, I’ve been something better. Me.
We linger until the end of the fountain display, then head off into the neon glow of the city, hand in hand. I tighten my grip around his, and as he squeezes back, I can’t help but feel this isn’t the end of our story. It’s the beginning of something bigger, brighter, and maybe even a little messy.
That’s okay.
With Nate by my side, I’m ready for whatever adventure comes next.
#