Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 76232 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76232 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Lara had walked in with Kate, and she linked their arms. “Not surprised, huh?”
“Not even a little,” Kate said. “Kennedy knows better than to totally rob me of planning my own birthday party.”
“You and your planning,” Sabrina said, linking her other arm. “But hey, it’s your birthday. Whatever floats your boat.”
“Well, it’s not totally without surprises,” Lara said slyly, nodding at an older woman approaching them.
“Mom!” Kate pulled her arms free of her friends and rushed over to hug her mother. “What are you doing here?”
“Oh, your fella arranged for me to come into the city. Found someone to watch the puppy and everything. Brought me here in a fancy car, put me up in a fancy hotel. He even arranged for me to have my hair done. See?”
“It’s fabulous,” Kate said, kissing her mom’s cheek, relieved to see that she looked genuinely happy.
The shadow of losing Kate’s dad faded a little more every time she saw her, and Eileen reassured Kate with every visit that life really did go on—it was just a different stage of her life. Kate liked that and hoped that someday her mom might even find a new partner for this new stage.
“You know you didn’t have to come all this way, though, right? I know you hate the city, and this isn’t even a birthday ending in a zero.”
“I wouldn’t miss it,” her mother said. “Oh! Look, prime rib . . .”
She dashed off toward a buffet table, just as Kennedy approached, a slight smile on his face.
Kate flung her arms around his neck, kissing him full on the mouth, unabashed they were in the middle of a crowded room. “Thank you,” she said against his lips.
“You already knew it was happening. You’re the worst surprise party recipient ever.”
“I didn’t know about Mom, though. Best surprise ever.”
“You sure about that?”
She laughed and pulled back. “Seriously? You think you can top my mom?”
Kate’s smile froze in confusion as she realized everyone was watching them expectantly.
She frowned. “What am I missing?” Then she saw it and laughed. “Oh my God, an ice sculpture!”
“They’re very in right now, didn’t you know?”
“I did. What the heck is that?” she said as she got closer. “It’s very . . . phallic.”
“Yeah . . . Didn’t really think that through. It seemed like a good idea at the time.”
“Oh! It’s a king!” she said. “From a chessboard.”
“Nerds,” Ian said from behind a fake cough.
Matt chimed in. “You know, if either of you wants to play, I’ve actually beaten a grand master. I’d love to take either of you on—”
“Oh, Matthew. Please be quiet,” Lara said, tugging him away from Kate and Kennedy.
Oblivious to her friends, Kate stepped closer to the ice sculpture. “There’s something inside it. What . . . Oh. Oh my God.”
Her hand went to her mouth as she registered the solitaire diamond ring encased in the middle of the ice.
She whirled toward Kennedy, but he was already on his knee, smiling up at her with a cocky, confident smile. Which was probably fair, considering he was already wearing her ring. He hadn’t taken it off since the night she’d given it to him. The guys occasionally gave him crap for having a “guy’s engagement ring,” but he only ever smiled.
“Told you I’d get my proposal my way.” Without looking away, he tilted his head toward the ring in the ice. “Marry me?”
Her heart felt like it was bursting from her chest as she grinned down at the only man she’d ever loved. “Yes. All in.”
Kennedy smiled wider as he stood and wrapped her in a hug that lifted her off her feet. Their friends clapped and cheered around them, but as Kennedy lowered her back to the ground, his word was just for her. “Checkmate.”
She looked up at him. “Really? What did you win?”
Kennedy’s eyes were warm and adoring as they locked on hers. “Your heart.”