Page 53 of Catch Me (Townsend Legacy #4)

A ndreas

I rise from the table that’s been set out on the balcony of our hotel suite as Ivy approaches.

“What’s all of this?” she asks with a smile, taking in the breakfast spread on the table, complete with a huge bouquet of roses in the middle.

“Breakfast came while you were in the shower,” I tell her, taking her waist into my hands and pulling her in for a kiss.

The sounds from the chaos and traffic thirty floors beneath us travel up, creating the type of soundtrack that only New York City can provide.

We arrived in the city three days ago for Ivy’s graduation. The ceremony she always deserved to attend. While she was able to complete her final semester in Los Angeles, the dean of her program allowed her to fly to New York to be a part of the celebration.

“We’re having a late breakfast this morning. We can meet everyone else tonight.”

Smiling, she wraps her arms around my shoulders. “I love your family so much for coming,” she says, genuinely.

While Mya, Jason, Ari, and Ari’s now-girlfriend Stacey came, the one person from Ivy’s family who showed up was her brother, Stephen. Though, he was the only one she invited.

Ivy’s spoken to her parents twice since that day they left her apartment. If I had it my way, she’d never even think of those miserable ass people again.

But alas, my father reminded me I can’t put her parents in a pine box. If she ever found out, she’d never forgive me. And since they keep their distance and their mouths shut, I’ll let them live their life.

“I think I heard your mom and sisters cheering more than anyone else when they called my name.”

I roll my eyes to the ceiling. “You definitely heard Stasi’s loud mouth in there, but it damn sure wasn’t over mine,” I point out.

“No.” She shakes her head. “You definitely were the loudest.” She kisses my lips. It ends too quickly for my liking. “You would’ve thought I was the Academy Award winner or something,” she teases.

“Here you go,” I say, chuckling.

“I’m so proud of you, baby,” she continues.

It’s been a couple of months since I won the Oscar for best actor for my portrayal of Shawn in Late Nights.

“Not as proud as I am to see you walk across that stage yesterday,” I tell her.

Her smile grows, her eyes lighting up.

“There’s something else we need to take care of before we leave the city,” I tell her.

We leave New York in two days for Mya’s destination wedding in the Caribbean. Which is why I wanted to do this now, this morning, while Ivy and I have alone time.

She raises an eyebrow.

I take her by the hand and lead her to the table, before pulling out her chair to sit.

Once she does, I remove the ring box from my pocket and go on one knee in front of her.

“I promised I would wait until you finished your degree,” I tell her as I open the box, showcasing the tear-drop shaped diamond in a white gold band. “And I always keep my word. You like the sound of my real last name, and I love the sound of your first name with it, baby.”

“Andreas,” she whispers, her eyes filling with tears.

“I want to spend the rest of my life with you, making you happy, drying your tears, making babies …”

She covers her face and laughs.

“Building a life together. A life that’s only ours to dream. Will you let me do that for you, Ivy? Will you marry me?”

Slowly, she drops her hands from her face, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Nothing would make me happier.” She throws her arms around me, which sends me onto my ass.

Laughing, I catch her, easily, because that’s what I do. Whenever or wherever she needs me to I will always catch her.