Chapter Four

Abigail

We walk into the Luxe jewelry store in downtown Portland, holding hands. People keep taking out their phones and snapping pictures.

“Does this happen to you all the time?” I lean in to whisper.

“Sometimes,” he smiles down at me. “But today? It’s because of the stunning woman holding my hand.”

My heart skips a beat at the sincerity in his tone. “Babe, you’ve got to stop spoiling me.”

“Never going to happen, bright eyes.”

“Mr. Nash, welcome to Luxe. My name is Stanley. It will be an honor to assist you in finding something special today.” A starstruck salesman rushes over, so eager to make a big salethathe’s sweating.

“Perfect,” Kade moves to the center of the store. “Where are your biggest engagement rings?”

Stanley nearly faints with excitement. “Right this way.”

I hate to admit it, but there’s a ripple of excitement running through me. Stanley takes us to the back of the store, where a large display case gleams under bright lights. As we get closer, the gems seem to dance, casting tiny rainbows across the sleek glass surface. My heart races as the brilliance of radiant stones sparkle.

“Bright eyes, is there a cut you prefer?” Kade leans over the case.

A wave of guilt hits me. What are we doing? I hook my arm through his. “Babe, can we talk for aminute?”

Stanley clears his throat. “You talk, and I will go open a bottle of Cristal to celebrate this momentous occasion.”

I wait for Stanley to leave, then turn to Kade. “I don’t think we should do this,” I whisper. “It’s a really bad idea.”

“Bright eyes,” he cups my face in his hands. “We are doing this.” He presses his mouth to mine. “I want to do this.”

He kisses me so hard, so deep, that I sigh, “You’re an excellent kisser.”

“You’re worth kissing.” He pulls me in for a hug.

“Here we are.” Stanley holds out two champagne flutes.

“Perfect timing, Stanley.” Kade tucks me into his side. “We’re hanging things up. Please take my bride-to-be somewhere comfortable to wait while you help me pick out the perfect ring for her.”

“Absolutely, Mr. Nash.” Stanley puffs out his chest.

I find myself in a room draped in velvet, my heart racing and my stomach fluttering with a thousand butterflies. I shouldn’t feel this giddy, this happy—but heaven help me, I do. Kade is on the other side of the store, selecting a ring for me.

Getting engaged was never something I imagined or desired. Yet, the way Kade looks at me, the way he kisses me, the way he makes me feel… if I could find a man like him to call my own, I’d marry him tomorrow.

I take a sip of the Cristal, struggling to catch my breath as waves of emotion crash over me. For my entire life, I've mastered the art of compartmentalizing my feelings; it’s what made me a strong, sought-after pro basketball agent. Yet in less than twenty-four hours, Kade has shattered those defenses.

I want to be with him.

I crave to know everything about him.

Oh, no…

I close my eyes as it hits me.

I wish our fake engagement was real.

Horrified, my eyes dart around the room, looking for a way out. What is happening to me? How can a Playboy basketball player unravel the barriers I’ve taken years to construct?

“Miss Roberts?” Stanley sweeps a velvet curtain to the side. “Mr. Nash is ready for you.”

I can’t run now; I can’t do that to Kade. I drain the last of my champagne, feeling its warmth settle in my chest. Taking a deep breath, I follow Stanley, my mind racing with how to protect my heart.

But the minute I see Kade’s beaming face, I realize it’s too late.

He’s already stolen my heart.

“There she is.” He grins. “I missed you, bright eyes.”

“Babe, I wasn’t gone that long.”

“Any time you’re away from me is too long,” he kisses my forehead then drops to one knee. “From the moment we met, I knew you were the one. You're everything I've ever wanted in a partner and more. I can’t imagine my life without you. I promise to never take you for granted, to always love you, protect you, and cherish you all the days of my life. Will you do me the honor of marrying me?”

Tears roll down my cheeks. “Yes,” I breathe.

He slips a stunning ring onto my finger. “I am the luckiest man alive.” He presses a soft kiss to my lips. “The absolute luckiest.”

Stanley is smiling like a Cheshire cat. “How does the ring fit?”

I hold up my hand. “It’s perfect.”

“Do you like the ring, baby?”

I stare at the large stone sitting on a band of sparkling pink stones. “It’s beautiful.” I swipe away a tear.

“Not nearly as beautiful as you.” He kisses me again.

“Mr. Nash selected the finest ring in the store. Your engagement ring is a flawless oval-cut five-carat diamond surrounded by a platinum band of pink diamonds.”

“Kade…this is too much.”

“Hush.” He grins down at me. “Just kiss me.”

I stare into his deep green eyes and decide not to argue with my fiancé. I simply obey his command and kiss him with a full, happy heart.

Maybe I’m not broken after all.