Page 53 of I Could Be Yours (The Toronto Terror #6)

NATE

O ne week later

“You look handsome.” Essie presses her palms to my chest and smiles up at me.

She’s wearing a pale pink wrap dress and a hot pink wrap, accented with a silver purse and matching shoes.

Her long, dark hair hangs over her shoulders in artful waves.

Her makeup is subtle, but her dark eyes pop, and her lips are glossy and tempting, as usual.

“You’re beautiful.” I take her hand and kiss her knuckles.

“What’s that look?”

“What look?” I bite back a smile.

“You’re wearing your devious face.” Her eyes light up. “Like you have a secret you’re dying to tell.”

I lean in, brushing my lips across her cheek until I reach her ear. “I bought you something special for tonight.”

While Essie and Rix were getting their hair done this morning, I ran out to pick up a few last-minute items for Dred and Connor’s engagement party. And I made a stop at Essie’s favorite lingerie store, as well as the jeweler.

Last week my skate was put into production for a short run, and the Terror will be using them during practice. It’s pretty freaking unreal to be at this point so soon, and definitely something to celebrate.

Essie quirks an eyebrow. “What kind of something special?”

“It’s pretty, and lacy, and princessy,” I hint.

“Oh my gosh!” She claps. “Did you get me the sleep set I sent you a picture of last week?”

One of Essie’s favorite new pastimes is sending me pictures of princess-inspired lingerie, followed by detailed scenes we could act out while wearing it. Sex with Essie is always an adventure, and I’m more than happy to play out these fantasies with her.

“You’ll have to wait until we’re home to find out.”

“Can’t I have a little peek before we leave?”

Our phones buzz.

“Rix and Tristan are waiting for us.”

Essie’s bottom lip juts out.

I suck on it. “Don’t worry, sweetness. I’ll make up for it when I steal you away later tonight.”

She sighs. “Fine. I guess I can wait.” She grabs her purse, and I tuck Dred and Connor’s gift under my arm. We leave the apartment and head down to the lobby.

I smile as I discreetly pat the inside pocket of my suit jacket. Essie’s engagement ring is currently nestled against my heart. We’re still in the early days yet, but she’s it for me, and I want to be ready when the time is right. Which will probably be sooner than later.

All our friends are either getting engaged, planning weddings, or having babies.

I want it all with Essie—the celebrations, walking down the aisle with her, a family.

Essie’s heart is the most beautiful thing about her, and together, with the support of our families and friends, we’ll have a lifetime full of love.

We’re looking at getting an apartment together in Flip’s building so we’re not tripping over each other. It’s a two- bedroom, with a walk-in closet that will fit all her clothes. Plus, there’s a second, small bedroom that we can turn into an office.

We pile into the back of Rix’s SUV with Flip, who looks put together, but not all that enthused. “Let’s get this over with,” he grumbles.

“Where’s your gift?” Rix asks.

He pats his breast pocket. “In here.”

Rix narrows her eyes at him. “What is it?”

“A gift certificate for an excellent divorce attorney.”

Tristan frowns. “Please tell me you’re not serious.”

“He specializes in getting around prenups.” Flip looks terribly serious.

Rix shoots him a look. “Don’t be a dick!”

“I’m kidding. Mostly.” Flip rolls his eyes. “I got them a one-night stay at a winery in Niagara. Dred is obsessed with the place, and they have this suite with a library.”

“Oh.” Rix’s eyebrows rise. “That was nice of you.”

“I might not like Grace, and I might not like that he’s engaged to one of my best friends, but I care about Dred, and I want her to be happy. If this dickbag makes her happy, I’ll support her.”

“Can you avoid referring to him as a dickbag for the rest of the day?” Essie asks.

“I guess. Yeah.”

“I’m kind of excited to see his parents’ house,” Rix says.

They have a home in one of the most affluent neighborhoods in Toronto.

Apparently, they also have homes in several states, as well as a summer home in Bala.

It’s no secret Connor comes from a very wealthy family.

It’s also no secret that he’s not the biggest fan of his family, and that his family aren’t the biggest fans of him—other than his grandmother.

“I’m fascinated to meet his family,” Essie says. “The guy comes from old money, yet he’s covered in tattoos and plays professional hockey. He’s such a contradiction.”

“He better not fuck Dred over,” Flip mutters .

Essie and I have done our fair share of brainstorming about the whole thing.

We know Connor isn’t all bad, but Flip hasn’t seen that side of him.

And I’m not about to spill his secrets, considering the way he saved me and my brothers from what would have been a nightmare situation at Tristan’s wedding.

We arrive at the house at the same time as some of Tristan and Flip’s teammates. Lavender and Kodiak flew in from New York to be here, and Quinn Romero, the newest addition to the Terror and their long-time family friend, is with them.

Essie’s sister, Cammie, and her boyfriend, Chase, as well as her best friends, Fee and Tally, approach us.

Flip does a double take as Tally rushes up and gives him a quick hug before moving on to Rix.

Her long, blonde hair is pinned at the sides, revealing a ladder of hoops in her right ear.

Her dress is deep blue, with a slit that reveals her dancer’s legs.

The girls form a circle and comment on how much they love each other’s dresses.

Flip rubs the back of his neck. “I bet my sister helped Tally pick that dress.”

“If she was looking to get noticed, it’s working,” I murmur.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

I pat him on the shoulder. “You’ll figure it out eventually.”

Dallas inserts himself between us. “This is going to be one hell of an engagement party.”

I laugh as I take in his suit. As usual, he’s wearing plaid, but his tie has a sexy-peach pattern on it. “You put the ass in classy, Bright.”

“I know.” He winks. “Let’s do this.”

Essie slips her arm through mine as we walk up the winding driveway to the massive, sprawling, modern mansion. We’re greeted by a butler as we enter the foyer and are immediately handed glasses of champagne.

Everything is white, on white, on white.

“This is like a snow palace.” Essie drops her voice to a whisper. “I wonder if they have a ballroom.”

“I bet they do.” It seems logical in a house this big .

Rix and the girls call for Essie to join them. They now have a very nervous-looking Dred with them. “I’ll find you later.” Essie kisses me on the cheek and flits off.

My brother calls me over to say hello to Connor and meet his grandmother. He’s dressed in a teal suit, like he’s representing his team, not hosting his engagement party. His grandmother is wearing a matching teal sequin dress and looks like the picture of old money.

She smiles up at Tristan. “You must be my grandson’s teammate.”

Tristan takes her tiny hand in his. “I am. It’s nice to meet you. You must be excited about the engagement.”

“I couldn’t be more thrilled. Dred is smart as a whip. My grandson needs someone like her to keep him in line.”

“You’re quite the matchmaker, Meems,” Connor says with a wry smile.

“Matchmaker?” Tristan asks.

“Connor hasn’t told you the story?” She tsk s. “Every week I go to the public library and take out two new books, and Dred always helps me pick them. But a while ago I wasn’t feeling well and couldn’t get to the library, so I sent Connor.”

Connor stuffs his hand in his pocket. “I’d met Mildred plenty of times, though, Meems. We both attend Callie’s hockey games.”

“That may be true, but that trip to the library is what made her see the you I see.” She pats his cheek, and then smiles at us. “Thank you for being here. I know Connor appreciates it.” She wraps her arm around Connor, and he bends to give her his ear.

“Enjoy the party,” he tells us. “Thanks for coming.” He winks and guides her away.

I look at my brother. “That was interesting.”

“Yeah, it was.”

An hour into the party, Essie sidles up beside me. “Come with me.”

“Everything okay? ”

“Everything is great. I just need you for a minute.” She guides me out of the room and down the hall, glancing over her shoulder before she pushes her way through an ornately carved set of double doors. “Check this out.”

“Oh wow.” We’re standing in a stunning ballroom, but all I can see is the wonder on her face. “Imagine dancing in here.”

“We don’t have to imagine; we can do that right now.” I pull my phone out, cue up our favorite song, and hold my hand out to her.

Her smile widens, and she slips her fingers into mine, letting me pull her close.

We move around the room, lost in each other and the music.

I can see our life together unfolding a little more every day.

And here, in this room that speaks of fairy tales and romance, I can envision her dressed in a wedding gown—not white, but the palest blush pink, satin and lace, her dark hair coiled on top of her head, smiling at me exactly the way she is now.

And I want that future, the one full of possibilities and the kind of love that erases all my fears and replaces them with hope.

I stroke her cheek and brush my lips over hers. “Thank you for sharing your light with me.”

She presses her hand to my cheek, her smile soft and warm like sunshine. “Thank you for trusting me with your heart. I promise I’ll always keep it safe.”

One day, in the not-too-distant future, I’ll ask her to be my wife, and we can start our own forever.