Chapter 38 Grae
GRAE
Wren let out a low whistle as Jalen opened the door to a massive suite. “Grae, I think you dating a guy who owns a fancy-ass resort might have its perks.”
Maddie grinned as she hurried inside. “I was Team Caden the moment he got us a spa day.”
“Good to know you’re both easily bought,” I said, following them into the suite.
Jalen chuckled as he motioned my police detail inside. “A late lunch will be delivered any moment now, along with some champagne.”
I took in the space around us and stilled. There were flowers everywhere. Countless bouquets of…wildflowers. I swallowed hard. “Did Caden do this?” I whispered.
Jalen smiled. “He wanted you to have a relaxing afternoon in the perfect setting while you got ready.”
I crossed to the largest bouquet and plucked out a card with my name scrawled across the outside.
Gigi,
There isn’t a time I see a wildflower and don’t think of you. Thank you for always seeing me. For always having my back. I’m the luckiest man in the world to have you in my life.
Caden
“Oh my God. That’s so sweet.”
I whirled on Wren and smacked her nose with the card. “Nosy much?”
She grinned. “You’re my best friend. It’s not like you wouldn’t have told me.”
“I wanna read it.” Maddie grabbed the card from my hand.
“Hey!”
“Awwww. Totally swoon-worthy.”
Jalen laughed. “I knew I liked you guys.” His eyes twinkled. “There’s more waiting for you in the primary bedroom.”
“More?” I squeaked.
“Come on.” Maddie grabbed my hand and hauled me toward the room.
As we stepped inside, we froze again. There weren’t just more flowers; beyond that was a rack with six different breathtaking gowns hanging from it.
“Caden wanted to make sure you had something to wear that would make you feel beautiful,” Jalen said.
Tears burned the backs of my eyes. I’d told him I had an old prom dress I could probably squeeze into from my parents’ house, but he’d wanted me to feel comfortable tonight. Confident.
“And there’s something else on the bed,” Jalen added.
“Holy crap, G,” Wren whispered. “He isn’t messing around.”
I walked to the bed on shaky legs. Three red leather boxes lay on top of the mattress with a card. I grabbed the card first.
Gigi,
I couldn’t be prouder to walk into a room with you at my side. A little something to show you how much you shine.
Caden
I swallowed hard as I opened the first box—a pair of delicate diamond earrings.
They looked like falling snowflakes that would catch the light.
The second box housed a classic diamond tennis bracelet.
And the third, a necklace that was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.
It had the same snowflake resemblance as the earrings and would settle along my collarbone.
“He didn’t have to do this,” I whispered, tears filling my eyes. My hand reached up, touching the spot where the simple compass necklace used to lay. Now, I’d be able to wear something of Caden’s again. And that couldn’t have felt more right.
Wren wrapped an arm around me. “Don’t you know Caden well enough by now? He did this because he wanted to.”
Caden hadn’t said those three little words yet, but he didn’t need to. They were in his eyes. In his every action. And I felt them down to my bones.
My hands skimmed over the pale blue fabric of my gown. The silk hugged my curves, dipping low in the front with a lace overlay on my cleavage. The diamonds at my ears, throat, and wrist glimmered in the light.
“Are you ready?” Wren called from the living area. “The boys are on their way up.”
I let out a shaky breath and forced myself to leave the haven of the bathroom. Maddie let out a wolf whistle as I made my way to the living room. “Damn, girl, you were right to go with the blue. You look like an ice princess.”
Wren beamed at me, waving a hand in front of her face. “You look too beautiful. I’m going to cry.”
Her reaction was exactly what I needed, and I burst out laughing. I crossed to my bestie and placed a hand on her tiny belly. “It’s not me making you cry, it’s this little one.”
“You’re both jerks,” she muttered.
Clint chuckled from his spot on the couch. “Hormones, man. I’ll never forget how my sister cried at the drop of a hat while she was pregnant.”
A knock sounded on the door, and then it opened. Holt, Nash, and Caden entered, but I only had eyes for Caden. He wore a navy tux that fit him like a dream and somehow made the green of his eyes impossibly brighter.
The moment his gaze zeroed in on me, he stilled. That gold in his hazel eyes sparked, and then he ate up the space between us. The rest of the world melted away as his hands found my face, drawing me in.
“You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
My breath hitched. “Thank you for making me feel that. The dresses, the jewelry, the spa.”
Caden’s lips brushed mine. “Don’t you know by now? I’d do anything for you.”
“Hey, no making out with our sister in front of us,” Nash grumbled.
Maddie smacked him. “Don’t ruin their moment. Caden gave G the most romantic day of her life.”
Holt arched a brow. “You putting us to shame, Caden?”
Wren grinned. “He definitely is.”
My cheeks heated, but I took Caden’s hand. “Maybe we should go downstairs.”
Nash chuckled. “Always hated being the center of attention.”
Caden’s fingers wove through mine. “You sure you’re ready for this?”
I nodded. “Let’s go charm the pants off some stuffy, rich people.”
Wren snorted and shook her head. “You know you’re rich, right?”
“But I’m not stuffy,” I argued as we filed out of the hotel suite.
Holt dropped a kiss to her head. “I hate to break it to you, Cricket, but you’re rich now, too. We are getting married.”
Wren’s lips twitched. “Oh, I know. I’m just using you for your money. That and the hot sex.”
Caden choked on a laugh. “Harsh.”
Holt hit the elevator button. “I’ll take what I can get.”
Nash clapped him on the shoulder. “Smart man.”
We climbed into the elevator, taking it to the lobby. We followed the flow of impeccably dressed guests headed toward the gala. As we stepped inside, I gasped. “Caden, this is gorgeous.”
He squeezed my hand. “Erika did an amazing job. I think it feels like it really fits the space.”
“It’s like a magical forest,” Wren muttered as she took it in.
“Not too shabby, brother,” Nash admitted.
“Thanks. Now, let’s get some drinks,” Caden said.
He flagged down a cocktail waitress, and we all placed our orders.
Lena grinned like a shark as she strode toward our group. I had to admit she looked beautiful, but it was only skin-deep.
Caden tensed, his arm tightening around me.
“Caden,” she purred, patting his chest. “You look so handsome.”
He stepped back, taking me with him. “Lena.”
She pouted. “Always so uptight.”
“Maybe if you didn’t make him feel incredibly uncomfortable, he wouldn’t be so tense around you.” My voice stayed sickly sweet, but my eyes were hard.
Lena’s jaw went slack. “I would never.”
Nash snorted. “Please, you’ve been hitting on him for years. You think your poor ole fiancé doesn’t see, too? I feel bad for Gabe, and I hate that prick.”
Lena’s face reddened. “I don’t need to listen to these crass insults.” She turned and stormed off.
Maddie let out a low whistle. “She’s something.”
I glanced up at Caden. “You okay?”
He sighed. “Fine. Maybe she’ll be embarrassed enough to finally leave me alone.”
We could all hope.
A hand gently patted my arm, and I turned.
Jocelyn Shaw sent me a wavering smile. “Grae, you look stunning.”
I wrapped my arms around Caden’s mom in a hug. “So do you. That dress is perfection.”
She ran a hand down the garment as I released her. “Thank you. Can I steal you for a moment?”
I looked at Caden, who sent his mom a questioning look.
She laughed. “I promise not to tell her any embarrassing childhood stories.”
“Mom…” he warned.
I waved him off and then looped an arm through hers. “Don’t let him intimidate you. I want to hear all the embarrassing stories.”
Jocelyn laughed as we walked out onto the balcony, where it was a bit quieter. “You’re good for him.”
“I hope so because he’s good for me.”
A sad smile spread across her face. “I haven’t done a very good job protecting that goodness.”
I stilled at the balcony’s edge, not saying anything.
“I wanted to thank you for protecting him…the way I should’ve. Caden told me you’ve helped him see how much the situation with his dad and brother is hurting him.”
“He didn’t want to cause you pain. Any of you. But I hate what it puts him through.”
Jocelyn patted my arm. “You were right. And so is Caden. I didn’t want to see how destructive it had all become, but it’s hurting all of us. We need to face it. I’m going to face it.”
I squeezed her hand. “That’s incredibly brave.”
She smiled at me. “It’s nice to find a little bit of that bravery again. I’d forgotten I had it.”
“We all forget sometimes. It helps to have people who remind us.”
“You’re that for Caden. You always have been.”
My heart clenched in a squeeze that straddled the line between pleasure and pain. “It’s an honor.”
Jocelyn glanced over her shoulder. “I’d better let you get back to him. He’s got that worried look on his face.”
I laughed. “Okay. Maybe we could get lunch one day this week. Just the two of us.”
“I’d love that.”
“Me, too.”
I left Jocelyn on the balcony and headed in Caden’s direction.
He met me halfway. “Is everything okay?”
“Your mom is pretty amazing.”
He lifted a brow in question.
“She’s stronger than you think.”
Caden glanced over my shoulder at his mother, who was now talking to another woman. “It’s good to hear that.”
“Caden,” a man I didn’t recognize called out.
We were pulled into conversation after conversation until my bladder protested. I squeezed Caden’s arm. “I’ll be right back.”
“I’ll go with you.”
I shook my head. “Clint’s right there.” I gestured to the man in the corner. “He’ll keep an eye on me.”
“Okay.” He pressed a kiss to the corner of my mouth. “Don’t stay away too long.”
I grinned and headed toward the hallway. Clint fell into step behind me. “Where are we headed?”
“I’m going to the little girls’ room. I don’t think you’re allowed.”
He chuckled. “I’ll just wait in the hallway.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
The first bathroom I came to was packed, so we walked farther down the hall until I found a blissfully empty one. Stepping inside, my ears rang from the silence after a good hour of loud conversation.
I quickly did my business and washed my hands. Taking a deep breath, I braced for more mingling.
As I stepped out into the hallway, I frowned. Clint wasn’t anywhere to be seen. I started in the direction of the gala, my head swiveling.
I heard a groan, and my steps faltered. A hand grabbed my hair and pulled hard, yanking me backward. I tried to scream, but it was too late.