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CHAPTER

TWENTY-NINE

ANNALISE

I ’m floating. At least it feels like it. I can’t feel my feet as I step into my house with the best boyfriend in the world coming in behind me. Is this what unadulterated, guilt-free happiness feels like? Had I known this level of euphoria existed, I would’ve faced my demons and cut out my father years ago.

I’ve never experienced a premiere without his dark presence casting a shadow of melancholy and doubt over the whole event. I’ve never left a premiere thinking about all the parts of the project I was proud of instead of what I could’ve done better. I honestly think I’m experiencing true happiness for the first time in my life.

Entering the house, I extend my arms out to my sides and spin into the foyer, causing Jaden to laugh.

“Happy?” He chuckles.

“So happy. What an incredible night.” I throw my arms around him.

I release a contented sigh, the adrenaline of the night seemingly dispersing with the expelled air because, in a matter of seconds, tears wrack my body as I sob against his tuxedo. In an instant, I went from flying on cloud nine to an emotional basket case.

“Hey.” Jaden runs his hands over my hair. “It’s okay.”

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” I swipe at my tears. “I don’t know why I’m crying. I’m happy.”

We exchange a knowing look. “That’s why you’re crying, babe. You’re happy.”

He’s right. I’m overwhelmed with joy. It’s intense.

“I’ve never been this happy. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop or something, I guess. My body’s in shock that nothing horrible happened tonight. It was perfect.” I raise my hand and cup his cheek. “You made it perfect.”

He kisses my forehead. “That’s all you.”

My tears of relief cease, and I take a step back, noticing a long black box wrapped in a golden ribbon in Jaden’s hand. “Hey, what’s that?”

“It’s a present.”

“For me?” I splay my hand across my chest and give Jaden a coy smile.

“Who else?” He quirks a brow. “But maybe we should wait.”

“Until my emotions are regulated?”

“Perhaps,” he teases.

“Gimme.” I hold out my hands, wagging my fingers.

He takes my hand and leads me to the living room, and motions for me to have a seat on the sofa.

“Oh, this is a serious gift,” I say.

He places the long, rectangular box in my lap. I pull the ribbon, untying the bow, and pull the top off the box. A huge smile comes to my face. “You got me my own Oscar?” I pull the golden man from the padded silk holder inside the box.

“I think you should have one. We don’t know what the Academy will do or who they will vote for, but I want you to know that, to me, you are the absolute best there is. I truly mean that.”

I hold the golden statue to my chest. “Thank you. You are so sweet.”

“Now, unscrew the bottom,” he says as he gets on his knee before me.

“What?” I twist the base of the statue and gasp when it loosens. I turn it a couple of times until the top of the statue separates from the bottom. Atop the base of the statue that was moments ago hidden within the golden Oscar is a diamond ring. “Jaden!” I bring a hand to my mouth.

He takes the ring from its holder, and I set the pieces of the Oscar onto the sofa as he holds the ring out to me. “Annalise Grace Sterling, I first fell for you the moment I saw you on screen years ago. You weren’t just a beautiful actress in a movie. You were someone special, and I felt it soul deep. When I finally got to meet you and get to know you, I was so grateful to find that you were the person I always knew you’d be. I know we haven’t been together long, and we don’t have to rush into a wedding, but I want to wake up every day for the rest of my life knowing that you’re mine and I’m yours. I feel as if I was put on this earth to love you and only you. No one will ever love you as much as I do. I promise to make you feel loved, cherished, and supported every single day of our lives. Anna, will you marry me?”

New tears roll down my cheeks, and I make no effort to stop them. “Oh my gosh. Yes, Jaden! Yes!” I throw my arms around him and tackle him to the ground.

He laughs. “Wait. I need to put the ring on your finger.”

“Oh yeah.” I sit up, resting on my knees, and hold out my left hand. Jaden slides the ring onto my ring finger. “It’s so beautiful. It’s perfectly me.”

“I thought it was, but I ran it by Miranda, just in case. I didn’t want to mess it up. She agreed that it was perfect. She actually helped me find someone to make the Oscar guy with the spin-off bottom ring holder, too. The girl literally has a person for everything.”

I chuckle. “She does. It’s part of what makes her so great at her job.”

He continues. “I was going to propose at the premiere tonight, but it was so perfect, and you were so happy and in your element. I decided to wait, wanting the night to be about you and the movie.”

How could this man be any more wonderful? “I love you, Jaden.” I hold out my hand, staring at my ring. “I never thought I’d be here, but I’m so happy I am.”

We face one another, kneeling on our living room floor. He takes my face in his hands and pulls it toward him. Our lips meet, and everything else fades away. The past, the future—all the joy and all the sorrow. Everything vanishes, and it’s as if Jaden and I are the only two people in the world. The kiss starts as a gentle touch, soft and tender. His lips caress mine, sending a warm shiver down my spine. At this moment, nothing matters to me but Jaden. My heart races, and I’m lost in the sensation. The way our mouths move together and our tongues dance gives me life. It feels like two halves of a soul coming together in perfect harmony. Our kisses are addictive, and the bliss that engulfs me, knowing I’ll always have this in my life, is an all-consuming inferno. The engagement—his words—were beautiful but this kiss holds a universe of emotion, saying more than words ever could. It speaks to a forever I never knew was possible but one I’m so happy I found.

Forever.

Jaden is mine forever.

More than just love, I feel safe and protected. For someone who’s never known the peace that comes with feeling whole, who has never had someone love her enough to put her first—I’m so much more than in love with this man.

I want to give Jaden my mind, body, and soul. With significant effort, I pull my mouth from his. “Let’s go to bed.”

He kisses the tip of my nose. “I love the plan.”

We stand from the floor, and Jaden picks up the two pieces of the statue from the sofa. He screws on the base and, statue in hand, gives me a look—one that causes me to stop in my tracks.

Oh no. “In the limo. You said you had a sexual experience that you were excited to play out with me tonight.”

“Uh-huh.” He bites his bottom lip.

I hold a finger out. “If that statue has anything to do with it, I’m going to lose my mind.”

“He’s very phallically shaped, and I’m quite sure he’d feel good exploring certain places.” Jaden shakes the statue back and forth, giving me a devilish smile.

I snatch the golden statue from him. Walking over to the fireplace, I place him on the mantel. “Little Oscar is staying out here, and I’m going to pretend that you didn’t just suggest we use him as a sex toy.”

“Anna, it could be…”

I hurry toward him and place my finger on his lips. “Don’t finish it.” I shake my head. “I appreciate the attempt at adventure, but the vessel that held the most stunning ring I’ve ever seen, the ring that is a symbol of our forever, will not be inserted anywhere. Got it? And because I love you so much and because you have made me the happiest woman in the world, and because I want to make love to my new fiancé until I can barely walk—I’m going to forget you ever mentioned it. Deal?”

He laughs. “Deal. I like the until you can’t walk comment.”

“I thought you would.”

I take his hand and lead my fiancé into our bedroom, where I intend on making good on my promise.