Her Destiny (Reverie #2)(52)

My future plans—which at one point seemed hopeless—all came together. How, I’m not quite sure, but I’m not going to question it.

I’m just so incredibly thankful I have Nick by my side.

We pull into the lot of my high school a few short minutes later, Nick parking the truck and turning off the engine. I watch some couples run past us, laughing and giggling, the boys wearing tuxedos, the girls in sparkly dresses. One of the girls waves at me and I smile and wave back, recognizing her from my English class. Once they’re gone, I glance in Nick’s direction to find him watching me.

“You look happy,” he says, his low, warm voice sending a shiver down my spine.

My smile grows. “Because I am.”

“Because you’re going to prom?”

I swat him on the shoulder. “Because I’m with you.”

He pulls me into him, kissing me until I can’t breathe before he breaks away from me. “You look sexy as hell in that dress,” he murmurs, his gaze roaming all over me, as if he can’t figure out what to stare at first.

I raise my brows at him, every bit of my bare skin warming from the smoldering intensity in his eyes. “You like it?”

“I’ll like it even more when I can take it off of you in our hotel room.” My cheeks are instantly on fire and he laughs, shaking his head. “That I can still embarrass you is the cutest thing ever.”

“Shut up,” I say, feeling silly. Feeling happy. Content.

Loved.

“I have a gift for you.” His voice and expression have gone solemn and I back away from him, surprised by this announcement.

“A gift?” I didn’t get anything for him. Did we promise each other gifts?

“Yeah.” He reaches into the front pocket of his tuxedo jacket and pulls out a tiny velvet jewelry box. “Open it.”

I take it from him with trembling fingers, popping open the box. Inside is a thin white gold band, a tiny diamond in the center. I stare at it for a breathless second, shock and pleasure coursing through my veins, making my head swim. “What is this?” I ask, looking up at him.

He looks nervous. And cute. So cute. “A promise ring. I know it’s not much but I wanted to let you know that I’m…I’m serious about this, Reverie. About us. When Evan tells me I have to protect you, I take that very seriously. And I want to protect you for as long as I can. Hopefully forever.”

I can’t take it when he says perfect things like that. Clutching the box in my hand, I throw myself at him, hugging him tight, a shiver moving through me when he circles his arms around my waist. “I love you,” I whisper into his ear, my arms around his neck.

“I love you too.” His arms tighten around me for a brief moment before he’s pushing me away and reaching for the box still clutched in my hand. “Let me put it on your finger.”

I hold out my trembling hand, giggling when he has trouble pulling the ring from its velvety confines. His hand is shaking too as he makes a few failed attempts before he finally slips the band on my ring finger.

It’s a perfect fit.

“I love it,” I breathe as I stare down at the ring on my finger. It’s so dainty. So beautiful.

“It’s too small.”

Lifting my head, I glare at him. “It’s perfect. I love it, almost as much as I love you.”

“Good.” He sounds relieved. How could he think I’d not love the ring and this special night? Everything about him and us together and the promise that he’s made me? I’ve never been so happy. “Because I’m afraid you’re stuck with me forever.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I say as I lean in close for his kiss.