Page 132 of My Treasured Obsession

They gasped loudly.

“I’m serious. I know this is still new, but the kind of connection I have with him? I’m convinced it’s once in a lifetime. That’s the best way I can explain it. I…I don’t think there’s another man out there who’ll treat and care for me—and Luna—the way Hunter does.”

“We’re so happy for you,” Anna said.

“And proud of you,” Layla added. “You and Hunter are going to be good for each other.”

Talking to them about this felt like coming full circle. “Thank you, girls. For listening and for helping me get ready.”

“What else are best friends for?” Anna’s hazel eyes gleamed as she gauged my reflection in the mirror. “Now go get dressed before your hot date arrives.”

Knowing Hunter’s punctuality, I practically raced to Anna’s gigantic walk-in closet.

Yesterday, I went on a last-minute shopping excursion to pick up a gown courtesy of Hunter’s card. I even left one of the ties I bought him in his locker with a note saying,Make sure you wear this tomorrow so we match, xo.

The gown in question was a strapless, mermaid-style, hunter green silk number with matching gloves that stopped above my elbows. I wore the ensemble with six-inch heels and complementary jewelry. The centerpiece was my necklace, a white diamond snake coiling around my neck, its head and tail meeting against a large teardrop emerald resting between my collarbones.

With my pin-straight hair parted to the side and flowing down my back, my makeup perfected with a sharp winged eyeliner, and my favourite shade of blood red on my lips, I felt beautiful beyond words.

I couldn’t wait to see Hunter’s reaction.

My best friends cheered when I stepped out and I did a three-sixty spin, preening a little extra for them. Choruses of praise rang in the air and I soaked it all up. Layla proceeded to marinate me in a cloud of perfume while Anna finished zipping up my dress the rest of the way. Afterwards, I was subjected to a hundred pictures so we could capture the perfect shot for me to post tonight on my social media.

With less than a handful of minutes remaining until Hunter’s arrival, we descended the stairs and met Michael on the ground floor, his arms full of Luna, who appeared all too happy to be hanging out with her younger sibling.

“Wow, Gabby,” Michael said shyly and I bent down to kiss his cheek with a loudmwah. He handed Luna to Anna and scurried off with a toothy grin to half-hide behind Layla, his favourite person.

“I hope you all have fun tonight.” I pouted. “But not too much fun without me.”

They laughed. Layla palmed Michael’s hair affectionately. “You know we won’t.”

“I’ll come pick up Luna in the morning, all right?” I said, giving my sweet girl some chin scratches.

The doorbell rang on cue.

My best friends gave me shit-eating grins.

Anna jerked her chin towards the door. “Go answer. Don’t keep him waiting.”

When I opened the door and crossed the threshold, my exposed skin pebbling under the fall night with only a faux fur shawl to keep me warm, my boyfriend waited at the bottom step with a large bouquet of red roses.

For a few heartbeats, we simply gazed at each other.

Blue eyes cascaded down my body, committing every detail to memory.

My own eyes drank him greedily like he was a mirage that would disappear.

Tonight, Hunter appeared the embodiment of a classy hero from my favourite romantic tales, with an indomitable presence and courting his most-awaited beloved. Dashing as ever, a crisp black tux was poured over his muscular frame and he had omitted the bowtie for my gifted hunter green tie instead.

We matched perfectly.

He extended his hand.

I grabbed it.

He helped me descend the remaining steps, keeping his eyes on mine like he was voracious for the sight I created.

“You’re beautiful,” he said huskily, drawing my knuckles to his mouth for a kiss. I shivered, feeling the touch of his lips seep through the thin material of my gloves. “The most beautiful, Gabriela.”