Page 132 of My Destiny

“Open the box,” he commands. “And please know, this has come from the best possible place.”

“What do you mean, ‘the best possible place’?”

“I just want to make all your dreams come true.”

“That’s sweet, but I still don’t see where you’re coming from with this.”

“Open the box,” he says again, so I do.

Inside, I find a single key. “A key? Is this about moving in with you?”

“No,” he says, shaking his head. “Although I still want that.”

“What is the key for then?”

“Please don’t be mad at me,” he says, placing his hands on my shoulders once more and turning me around so my back is now facing his front.

My eyes take in the vast, bright yellow building that stands before me. “Why would I be mad at—” The question vanishes the moment I see the enormous illuminated sign positioned above the glass doors.Brooke’s School of Dance.There’s a ballerina on there as well, and she looks just like the one on my necklace. My hand flies up to cover my mouth. “What?” Spinning around, I face him once more.

I can feel his hands trembling as he cups my face. “Before you say it’s too much, or you don’t want me to spend money on you, or give you expensive gifts, just hear me out.” His eyes scan my face as he speaks. “I know opening your own studio has been a lifelong dream of yours. But the reality is, by the time you save enough money to actually do it, you’ll probably be too old to ever see it through. So, in that box is the key to your dream. It’s yours, babe, all of it.”

I stand there speechless. I have no words. When what he’s done finally sinks in, my legs almost give way from underneath me. “Steady there,” he says, grasping my waist. Tears rise to my eyes and before I get a chance to speak, I break down. Burying my face in his chest, I start to sob. I can’t believe this is really happening.

“You don’t like it?”

“Are you kidding me?” I say moments later. Drawing back, I lift my tear-stained face so I can meet his eyes. “I can’t believe you did this. You have no idea what this means to me.”

“I think I do.” A smile tugs at his lips. “So I’m not in trouble?”

“Of course not! I’m deeply touched that you’d do something like this for me.” If anything, I’m racked with guilt for all the times I’ve mistrusted him in the past weeks.

He tightens his grip on me and rests his chin on my head. “Maybe now is a good time to tell you that I’ve been lying to you for the past month.”

Pulling back, I look up at him. “You’ve been lying to me? About what?”

“All of those extra hours I’ve been putting in at the office, it was all a ruse. I’ve actually been here, coordinating this. And before you say anything, I only did it because I didn’t want to ruin the surprise. I’ve sensed your concern about my absence since the Amanda incident, and I even contemplated telling you everything, but it wouldn’t have been the same if I had. I hope you can forgive me.”

“Only if you forgive me for all the times I doubted you?”

“It’s water under the bridge,” he says. “I’ve been burnt too, remember? So I know firsthand how it feels. As long as you know in here,” he says, pointing to my heart, “that I would never do wrong by you, not knowingly. What we have is special. Don’t ever lose sight of that.”

“What did I ever do to deserve you?”

“It’s not anything you did, but rather everything you are. I could never repay you for what you’ve given me.”

I slide my arms around his waist and hold him tight. “I love you so much.”

“I know, and not a day passes that I’m not thankful for your love.”

“Do you want to go inside and check the place out?”

“Please.” He reaches for my hand. “I still can’t believe you’ve done this.”

“You deserve it all and so much more.”

CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

Logan