Page 78

It drove Lexy crazy, but she relented because we set a deadline and she knew I was a man of my word.

I’m an idiot.

“I don’t give a shit if Liam or Charles get pissed at me. I don’t want to wait to tell them anymore. They’ll just have to suck it up if they want us in their lives. I choose you, Lexy.”

Her lips wobble, and a tear rolls down her cheek. It’s like no one has ever told her that before. My heart clenches—her tears destroy me—and if I didn’t know they were of happiness, I’d want to bash my head against a wall for causing her pain.

I’ll choose her every day. I’ll whisper it to her again and again until she no longer has that sad look on her face.

“I don’t want you to regret this, Ethan.”

I shake my head. “I won’t.”

A loud whipping sound crashes from the outside and she shrieks. Instinct takes over—I pull her against me as we snap toward the windows.

“Looks like you may get your wish after all. The first snowstorm of the new year.” My breath is uneven, the earlier unease winding tight around my lungs.

Just a snowstorm. Strong winds. Nothing to worry about.

Alexis squeals in excitement and hurries to the window. She smashes her face against it like a kid hoping to glimpse Santa on Christmas morning. Snorting, I walk over to see what has her so enthralled.

“Yes! I had a good feeling today. This is good mojo—the skies are giving us a sign today’s the day we’ll get those goals finalized.”

She leaps into action and flies into the bedroom, appearing a few seconds later in a thick, fluffy, pink bathrobe.

“Come on!” She doesn’t wait for a response and darts toward the door.

What on earth?

Chapter 26

“Where are you going?”I grab a coat and hurry after her.

“First snow of the year! We need to embrace the snow!”

“What?” Chuckling, I shake my head as we fly down the stairs, her hair whipping behind her.

“We can use the elevators, you know. State-of-the-art technology, Lexy!” I holler after her.

“Too slow!”

She was like this last year—insistent on running outside during the first snowfall in the new year. I thought that was a one-time thing, but apparently, it isn’t.

She stops abruptly before we reach the stairwell door to the lobby. I nearly plow into her.

“I forgot to give you this!” She takes a small box from the pocket of her robe. “I’m an idiot. I was supposed to give this to you on New Year’s Day and completely spaced out. See? It’s meant to be—me grabbing this robe, this box banging against my leg, reminding me what I forgot—”

“Yeah, yeah.” Lifting the small blue box, I give it a shake. “What is it?”

“Open it and you’ll see.” She rubs her hands together in obvious excitement as she nods toward the box.

I flip open the lid and find a pair of black circular cuff links. Amusement flitters inside me as I trace the delicate floral pattern on the medallion. It’s beautiful and simple, something I like, but then I’m not surprised she has my tastes down.

But I still don’t know why she’s bouncing on her feet, looking like a cat who just ate the canary.

“I love this, Lexy. Thank you.” I’m about to snap the lid shut when she stops me.

“There’s a surprise! Ugh, you’re so slow. Let me show you.” She grabs a cuff link from the box and shows me a small latch on the side. Then, she pushes it and the medallion swivels out to reveal a lifelike painting of a hummingbird underneath.