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  My eyes pop open, meeting hers. “Betrayal will do that to you.”

  Hurt pinches her expression. “I didn’t betray you, mijo.”

  “It sure fucking felt that way considering I was told to leave so he could stay.”

  “That was for your safety. You were so angry,” she whispers.

  “Damn straight I was, and I have every right to be.”

  “Yes, you do, but you need to learn to control your temper. It will consume you and eat away at you if you let it. It can destroy everything around you, including yourself.”

  My jaw locks as I fight the urge to argue that point because I can’t. After all, my temper did make me lose the only girl I’ve ever loved.

  “You let him in our house, Ma. Why would you do that?”

  “Because I wanted to hear what he had to say.”

  “Who gives a shit what he had to say?”

  “I do!” she fires back. “I deserve answers for what he did, Gabriel, even if they are unjustifiable. We all do.”

  “There’s nothing he can say to undo the damage he caused. Why even give him the chance?”

  “Because I need closure,” she chokes out, the tears she’s been trying to keep in begin tumbling down her face. “Even after all these years, I still love him.”

  Every muscle in my body tightens, disbelief burning in my gut. “You can’t be serious.”

  “A part of me will always love him. How can I not? He gave me five of the most precious gifts I could ever ask for.”

  “Yeah, then he left you to raise them all on your own,” I remind her, my voice hard.

  She wipes her tears with the back of her hand. “Yes, he did. But you have to understand the man who walked out on me that day was not the man I fell in love with. It’s the first one I will always love, not the last.”

  “So what are you saying? Are you actually considering taking him back?” The thought has my already nauseous stomach viciously churning.

  “No. Despite my conflicted feeling I could never take him back. I’d never be able to trust him again.”

  I’m thankful for that because I would not be able to handle it if she did. It would change the dynamic of our relationship.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispers, grabbing my hand. “Not only for how badly he hurt you, but that you had to help me pick up the pieces all those years ago. It wasn’t fair. You deserved more as a child and for that I truly am sorry.”

  “You have nothing to be sorry for,” I tell her, my voice gruff. “I had a good life growing up and an even better mom. I don’t regret any of it.”

  A sob falls from her as she pulls me in for a hug. “I love you, Gabriel. I could have never gotten through that without you. You were my rock.”

  All of the anger I harbored toward her moments ago melts beneath her embrace. “We were better off without him, Ma. You were too good for him then and you still are. He doesn’t deserve you.”

  She leans back, her tear-filled eyes colliding with mine. “I am not going to take him back, mijo, and he knows that. But he does want a relationship with his children.”

  Fury pumps through my heated blood once again. “Not fucking happening.”

  It will be a cold day in hell before I ever let that man back into my life.

  She nods. “I didn’t think so and that’s your choice, but some of your brothers might feel differently. I know Luis is considering it. You need to respect that, even if you don’t approve of it.”

  It’s a total mind fuck for me to understand how anyone can give that man another chance. My little brother might not remember him walking out on us but he does remember what it was like to grow up without a father.

  “Now, tell me what happened with CeCe.”

  My eyes cut to her, that burning in my chest intensifying. “How do you know about that?”

  “I called her looking for you since you weren’t answering my calls and she told me you guys weren’t together anymore. She sounded heartbroken.”

  I swallow thickly, guilt and regret battling in my chest as I remember the way I left her crying.

  “What did you do, mijo?”

  “I fucked up,” I tell her, not bothering to sugarcoat shit.

  “Then you need to fix it.”

  “I don’t think I can, and I’m not sure I should. We’re too different, Ma.”

  “Nonsense,” she says, her voice heated.

  I shake my head. She doesn’t understand, she didn’t see how much I stood out at that party.

  Grasping my face, she forces my eyes to her. “Do you love her?”

  It’s a question I don’t have to think about. “Yeah. I love her.”

  “Then fix it, mijo, or you will regret it for the rest of your life.”

  “How?”

  A sad smile cracks her lips. “That is something you will have to determine on your own, but I have no doubt you will. If anyone can right their wrongs, it’s you, Gabriel. Show her how sorry you are. Win her back and once you do…never let her go.”

  A newfound hope surges in my chest, mixing with the determination burning in my veins. Let’s just hope I’m not too late.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  CeCe

  I arrive at the boutique a little earlier than usual. I’d rather get a head start on my morning than spend another day in bed crying. It feels like that’s all I’ve done for the last five days.

  My heart is broken, a mangled mess, and by the way it’s looking, it might never be repaired. I knew I fell hard for Gabe but this has just shown me that I truly lost my entire heart to him over these past couple of months. Without him, I have no drive anymore, not even the sight of my boutique brightens my spirits.

  I miss his handsome face and cocky smirk. His warm chocolate eyes have been ingrained in my mind and heart forever. I’ve been such a mess that I even went and bought dark chocolate and ate it. Gained five damn pounds.

  The bastard.

  His scent lingering on my pillow doesn’t help matters either. It taunts me, and toys with my fragile emotions.

  I’ve considered contacting him, especially after finding out about his father. When I got the news from his mother about what went down at her house, I was speechless and my heart ached even more for Gabe. It’s no wonder why he was so upset when he arrived at the party. Then Victor’s rude assumption only made things worse.

  I want to reach out and check on him, but since he has made no move to contact me, I’ll continue to give him his space. As much as I miss him, I’m not prepared to put my tattered heart back up on the chopping block. I don’t think it can take another beating like the one it’s had this past week.

  Sighing, I scoop up Pep from the passenger seat then climb out of the car. “At least I have you, boy,” I whisper, dropping a kiss to his tiny head.

  Mrs. Nelson from the flower shop pokes her head out of the store and waves at me, an excited smile on her face.

  I manage a wave back but don’t have the energy to return her smile. Reaching my door, I unlock it and walk inside. When I move for the alarm, I stop cold, seeing it’s already been disarmed.

  My feet are rooted to their spot, imprisoned by fear. I turn to run back outside but stop myself when I catch a glimpse of rose petals beneath my heels. My heart skips a beat as I take in a rainbow of colors coming to life on the floor before me. Hope thrums through my body as I place Pep on the ground and walk further inside.

  The knot in my throat tightens when I turn the corner and find my entire boutique filled with an array of flowers. Dozens of vases are placed upon every flat surface. The best part though, the one that has my soul lighting up, is the man standing in the midst, holding a single white rose.

  I blink several times, praying I’m not dreaming. It’s not until he flashes me that sexy lopsided grin of his that I realize everything in this moment is very real.

  “Hey, Blondie.” His deep voice only feeds the warmth in my heart.

  My breath catches as I struggle to maintain my composure
, but no matter how hard I try there is no stopping the instant tears from slipping down my cheeks.

  “How did you get in?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

  “Jill let me in.”

  That sweet little traitor.

  “Why are you here?” I ask, twisting my hands before me, terrified to hear his answer.

  “Because I needed to see you. I want to apologize for what I did the other night.”

  My eyes fall shut on a rush of emotions, both hope and fear fighting for a foothold. I want so badly to believe what he’s saying but then again, I’m afraid to accept the words when he’s shattered my heart once already.

  He steps forward, his large, warm hands framing my wet cheeks. The small touch alone has me close to breaking down.

  “Look at me, Bella.”

  My eyes spring open, his handsome face blurry before me.

  “I’m sorry for what I did. I was a fucking mess after seeing my father and when that asshole said what he did…” He trails off, his jaw ticking in anger. “I lost my cool and even though I don’t regret hitting him, I do regret ruining your party.”

  “The party doesn’t matter,” I choke out. “This boutique means a lot to me but so do you, and I would never let anyone treat you that way. I would have kicked him out, even if it meant losing his business. But you didn’t even give me the chance, Gabe. You just walked away from me like the past couple of months meant nothing to you.”

  He rests his forehead on mine, remorse reflecting in his dark eyes. “I know, and trust me, I’ve regretted it every second of every day that has passed. But make no mistake, CeCe, I care. I more than care… I love you.”

  A sharp inhale moves swiftly into my lungs. “What did you just say?”

  “I said I love you.” His fingers graze my cheek, wiping away the flowing tears. “I love everything about you. Your dog, your ridiculous-sized purses, even your sassy mouth,” he adds with a smirk. “There isn’t one thing I don’t love about you.”

  The sob I’ve been trying to keep in claws its way to the surface and explodes past my lips. I drop my forehead on his chest and blubber like a fool. “I love you too, even if you did make me gain five pounds this week.”

  A chuckle vibrates in his chest as he enfolds me in his arms, his embrace bringing me the comfort I’ve longed for.

  His hands frame my face and he lifts my eyes to his. “Cásate conmigo,” he whispers, the words rolling off his tongue in the most beautiful way as his warm eyes penetrate my soul.

  Sniffling, I gaze back at him in confusion. “Can you not be sexy for a second and say that in English? I haven’t been keeping up with my Spanish this week.”

  A dashing grin curves his lips but it fades quickly, his expression sobering. “Marry me.”

  Every muscle in my body stills, shock rocking me to my core.

  “Hear me out,” he starts, lifting a hand up. “I know it’s quick and you’re probably thinking I’m fucking crazy right now. I could wait and ask you this a year from now or even two but the question will be the same, CeCe. I want you to be mine forever.”

  My belly flutters with excitement while my brain tries to comprehend the moment.

  “There’s a lot I can’t give you,” he continues. “Like an expensive Barbie mobile or a three-thousand-dollar dress from that Vera chick.”

  A small smile dances across my lips.

  “But I would walk through fire for you. I would run into a burning building for you.” He reaches up, cupping my neck, his thumb stroking my skin. “I’d die for you, CeCe.”

  His beautiful words send my heart into a tailspin.

  Reaching behind him, he grabs a white gift box with a red satin bow sitting next to a vase of flowers. “I don’t have a ring because I spent hours in every jewelry store in this damn city and couldn’t find one good enough. So I got you this instead.” He hands me the present.

  “What is it?” I ask.

  “Open it. It’s part of my speech.”

  I pull the red tie before lifting the lid. A gasp parts my lips when I see what lies inside. “Oh my god.”

  A glass slipper made of crystal rests on a satin pillow, sparkling with promise.

  “I know you’ll always be your father’s princess but I want you as my queen.”

  A sob tumbles past my lips, my mind reeling from his declaration and thoughtful gift.

  “If you say yes I promise to build a palace with you. I’ll cook for us every night, give you in-depth Spanish lessons, and an abundance of never-ending orgasms.”

  Laughter explodes from me, my heart swelling with love.

  “What do ya say, Bella?” he asks, gathering me into his arms.

  Smiling, I peer up at him through blurry vision. “I say Barbie mobiles are overrated. I’ll take the orgasms any day.”

  The husky laugh that vibrates from his mouth filters into my own as he takes my lips in a kiss that solidifies what I already know. This man is all I’ll ever need. His love is more than I could have ever hoped for and I will cherish it until the day I die.

  “I’ve missed you,” I tell him between heated kisses.

  “I’ve missed you too, baby.” He severs contact, replacing his thumb where his mouth just was and brushes it across my lower lip. “We’ll go out together soon and pick a ring for you.”

  My fingers circle his wrist as I lean into his touch. “I don’t need a ring. I don’t need anything but you.”

  “You have me, forever.”

  Tears of joy stream down my face as our future flashes before my eyes. Palace or no palace, money or no money, he’s the prince I’ve been waiting for.

  His arms tighten around me. “How about you let me take you home for the day and start on all those orgasms I’ve promised?” he says, with a cocky smirk.

  A smirk that used to irritate the hell out of me but now I crave to see it.

  “Jill is on standby, willing to work for the day,” he adds temptingly.

  The opportunity to be in his arms all day is one I cannot pass up. Rising to the tips of my toes, I brush a kiss across his lips. “Bring it, Fireboy. Let’s see what you got.”

  “Aw, Blondie, you know how much I love a good challenge.” Leaning down, he sweeps me up into his arms, yanking a laugh from my throat.

  My arms lock around his neck, a smile resting on my face as I stare back into his mesmerizing brown eyes.

  “Ready?” he asks.

  “More than ready.”

  I’m pretty sure my whole life has been leading up to this moment.

  I flip the sign over to closed as we walk out, Pep trailing behind us. My eyes are drawn to the purple crown on my glass window, my heart warming as I realize I’ve finally gotten the fairytale I always wished for. Only my Prince Charming turned out to be a cocky firefighter who doesn’t have the slightest clue about the importance of a pair of kick-ass heels and a designer handbag but he does know how to love me and, for me, that even trumps a pair of Jimmys or my friend Louis.

  EPILOGUE

  CeCe

  The sun is bright and warm, shining down upon us as we all gather to celebrate Rosa’s fourth birthday. Emily and Ryder’s backyard is filled with their closest friends while at least a dozen children run around with chocolate smeared all over their little faces.

  Excitement dances in my belly when I think about the future and how someday our backyard will be filled with this much love and happiness.

  “Is it just me or are we the luckiest bitches alive?” Kayla says, a friend of Emily’s who lives here in Charleston. She points over at our husbands where they stand around having a beer together. “We got the Sheriff,” she says, gesturing to her husband. “FBI agents, Navy SEALs, and now a firefighter… The view doesn’t get better than this.”

  “Agreed.” Emily smiles. “We are very lucky and we’re covered if we ever find ourselves in trouble, that’s for sure.”

  “My husband is used to bailing me out,” Kayla says. “If I’m really lucky though, he�
��s the one arresting me.” Her suggestive grin has us all bursting into laughter.

  She’s a total trip and reminds me a little of myself, I quite like her. Gabe and I fit in really well with this crowd. Our home is in Atlanta but if I were to ever move anywhere else it would be to this quaint city where my best friend resides.

  “Mama,” Rosa yells from across the lawn, “can I open my presents now?”

  “Sure, honey. Go sit in your chair and I’ll bring them over.”

  Rosa runs to the chair that’s decked out with pink tulle and colorful balloons. All of her friends gather around her feet, squeezing in to get as close as they can. Emily places a tiara on her head and hands her the first gift while the rest of us move in closer.

  My eyes shift to my husband as he makes his way over, my tummy dipping at his long, purposeful strides. His eyes are shielded by aviators but I swear I can feel them roaming over my body, the same way mine are wandering over his.

  He moves behind me, arms wrapping around my waist, his body heat warming me from the inside out. “Keep looking at me like that, Bella, and we will be leaving this party before it’s over.”

  I shiver at his hot breath in my ear, my body aching for his touch. It doesn’t matter that we made love only this morning, I crave this man every second of every day.

  “Sorry,” I breathe, not the least bit apologetic. “My hormones have a mind of their own when you’re around.”

  His lips brush my cheek. “Don’t worry, baby, I was checking you out, too.”

  Ha! I knew it.

  His hands move over my stomach, his touch gentle and protective. It’s something he hasn’t stopped doing since finding out about the little life I have growing inside of me. A surprise neither of us were expecting. We talked about enjoying the married life for a little while before making this leap. However, it seems two months was long enough, at least where fate is concerned. As unexpected as it is, we couldn’t be happier.

  “You’re drawing attention to it,” I whisper, leaning back against his chest. “People will ask questions if you aren’t careful.”

  “I can’t help it. It turns me on to know you’re carrying my baby in this beautiful body.”