Page 24 of Follow Me to Your Heart

Three months later…

Life was great.

School was over, and I’d passed all my finals.

My nail business had picked up tremendously to the point Cage surprised me with my own small salon. The love and business I’d been receiving was overwhelming, but I was happy to see how things were falling into place.

My relationship was . . . I didn’t want to say perfect, but it damn near felt like it. I fell more in love with Cage every day. He had been working hard on his business while making sure to put us first too. The main thing that mattered to me was that he was safe.

I was beyond grateful for how everything fell into place despite the trials it took to get to where we were. The ride was worth it, and I’d do it all over again if the result was the same.

“No, you didn’t!” I squealed, bouncing in my seat as Cage pulled up to the arcade.

He chuckled. “I had to redeem myself. I felt bad as hell for us not having that night together, even though it turned out to be life changing.”

“It surely did.” I leaned over the armrest with my lips puckered up. Cage landed a fat, wet kiss on them just as Keith came tapping on his window with Taylor standing beside him.

We got out to join them. Taylor and I embraced one another as if we hadn’t spent the whole day together yesterday. After I did her nails, we went out to eat and shopped a little for spring break. We were going to the beach, and I couldn’t wait to feel the sand between my toes.

“Don’t you look cute. I see y’all matching.” I gushed, pointing between Taylor and Keith.

She leaned her head on his shoulder and beamed. “Don’t we, though? I told him the cream would go perfect with his complexion.”

They were so cute. I never imagined my best friend would find love in my man’s best friend, but here we were. The weekly double dates we started going on brought us all closer. Keith was a really good guy, and he was perfect for Taylor.

“Hey, hey!”

The sound of Sienna’s voice made me turn around and skip to her. She was glowing. Her small, round belly was poking against her fitted tee. I rubbed and kissed it before giving her love.

“How are you feeling, Sienna?” Taylor asked as she embraced her.

Their friendship had blossomed into something beautiful.

They’d gotten to the point they would hang out by themselves.

Taylor and I went with Sienna to her doctor’s appointment, and we were in the process of planning her a surprise gender reveal with the help of her baby’s father.

He had stepped up, being everything that Sienna and my godchild needed.

Sienna huffed, hand circling her stomach. “I’m exhausted today. It was my last day of finals, and I stayed up most of the night studying. I took a nap, but it didn’t seem like it was enough.”

“You didn’t have to come, Si. We’re about to be in here acting like big kids. You need to get all the beauty rest.”

“It’s okay. I’ve been cooped up in the house, so it feels good to get out. My parents have been on me about not stressing and making sure I take careful of myself for the baby. Trust me, a break was needed.”

“Girl, you know when the baby gets here, they’re going to hog him or her.” Taylor giggled.

“I already know. Do you know they bought two cribs? One for the baby’s room and one for their room.” Sienna smirked with a shake of her head. “I love it though. I didn’t think it’d be like this.”

“You’re blessed to have them,” I stated.

“I am.”

Cage and Keith called us over to go inside. When we made it to the entrance, Sienna asked us to go to the bathroom with her. It was on the left right before we entered the main area of the arcade, so she whisked us away to relieve her bladder.

Taylor was in the mirror fixing herself up, staring at me every so often. She spun around and grinned. “I told you the white jumpsuit would be perfect.”

“Girl, you know I don’t wear white well, but it does look good.”

If I would’ve known we were coming to the arcade, I would’ve gone with the first outfit I had in mind. Taylor insisted I go with the white jumpsuit. I had to admit, it did accentuate my newfound curves. I’d gained a few pounds, and according to Cage, it was going all to the right places.

The jumpsuit had a deep dip in the front, and my back was completely out in the rear.

For the first time in a long time, my hair was silk pressed and curled, styled in a half up, half down hairstyle.

I put a little more effort into my makeup, and my favorite part was the chocolate lip combo.

Cage had bought me a diamond jewelry set that paired well with my flats.

I felt overdressed, but Taylor and Sienna were just as fancy as I was.

Once Sienna was done, we exited the bathroom. I screamed as all the power in the arcade went out. I reached out for my friends, but they had moved away from me.

“Cage!”

No response.

“I don’t like these games! Cage!”

One of the games turned on, barely giving me any light. Three more followed before a strobe of light lit my path, and Cage appeared. He stood a few feet away from me, standing in front of our favorite game, surrounded by white lily petals.

“Come to me, baby,” he instructed with his hand out.

Since the arcade was still a little too dark for my liking, I ran to him. “What the hell is going on?”

“That’s what I’m trying to figure out. I think they’re working on it, but play me in Pac-Man real quick.”

Hesitantly, I agreed. “You know I’m about to whup your ass, right?”

“You know you’ve never beat me, right?”

“There’s a first time for everything.”

We went at it. I forgot all about it being dark until the end of the game. It didn’t end how it normally did. Mr. and Mrs. Pac-Man met in the middle and kissed. The screen lit up, slowly typing out words.

“Will you . . .”

My breathing hitched. I placed my hand over my heart and turned to look at Cage to see him on one knee with a ring box open.

The stunning three-carat princess-cut ring almost blinded me, then I quickly realized there were phones recording us.

I opened and closed my mouth several times, but nothing came out. Cage had gotten me good.

“We spent so much time here as kids. All the years we’ve been together, as friends and lovers, led us to this moment.

I know you said you wanted to wait until you graduated to get married, and we can, but I couldn’t wait to propose to you, Korren.

I’ve always known you’d be my wife. I promise to give you the dream wedding you want.

I promise to wait until you graduate for us to even start planning.

This is your world. I’m simply blessed to be a part of it.

I want this forever, baby, so will you marry me? ”

No words were needed. I palmed Cage’s face and hungrily kissed him until I heard my father clear his throat. Laughter filled the room around us.

“Sorry, Daddy. I didn’t know you were here.” I dragged my thumb across Cage’s lips and beamed. “Of course, I’ll marry you.”

All the lights came on as Cage slid the ring on my finger. He rose to his feet and engulfed me in his frame.

Forever, I’d follow him, knowing he was exactly where I needed to be.

At Last.