Page 36

brIELLE

One Year Later

A res linked our hands as we walked the short distance to our house from his mom and Preston’s.

Buying a home for them, and another for us, was one of the first things he’d done after San Francisco signed him in the draft.

I loved that we were just down the street, as spending time with his family was easy.

Preston started at the magnet school half a mile away where I’d gotten a teaching job.

We were so pleased when Preston made the football team there.

And the pranks—they were a thing of the past.

We’d stayed with his family for the past couple of weeks while renovations were done on our home.

I’d promised not to sneak over and look, and I hadn’t, but it was so hard not to.

Ares wanted something to be a surprise, and I was shocked he hadn’t broken down and told me what, even after I’d tormented and teased him—in the best way possible, of course.

And since it was a bye week, our friends, including my sister, were coming to visit the next day.

After spending our first night alone, I couldn’t wait for a full house.

That was what I anticipated most. Ares ran his thumb over the back of my hand.

He was always touching me, something I’d found reassuring and addictive.

So much had happened after he’d rescued me from Vincent and Anthony Canino’s illicit activities.

With the aid of the videos the guys took and evidence from the bust, both mobsters were in jail, as well as the police chief.

It was over, but I’d had a ways to go to get rid of the fear they’d instilled.

I’d struggled with being alone for a few months, terrified of my shadow. When Ares couldn’t be by my side, my sister, Mal, and Aurora were. I got better, but that didn’t mean I would ever tire of Ares holding my hand or wrapping me in his arms.

“Are you excited?” He turned toward me, his topaz eyes practically glowing with anticipation.

“Yes.” I squeezed his hand as energy vibrated around him.

I had no idea how he was still standing after the game he’d played earlier in the day.

The team had dominated, and Ares was a huge reason why.

“I can’t believe it’s finally time to see our house.

I barely remember what it looked like when we toured it. ”

“It wasn’t that long ago,” he teased then guided me to the side of the house, where a wrought iron sliding gate opened after he entered a code.

High brick walls surrounded our property, which would give us maximum privacy. We passed through, and the gate closed behind us.

The sound of running water had me grinning, and I turned to him. “A pool?” I hoped so.

We’d briefly talked about putting in a heated one.

“Come on.” He laughed, tugging me forward.

Large staggered pavers surrounded by channels of small rocks lined the way adjacent to a putting green.

We followed the path. Palm trees scattered the yard, their fronds shimmying in the slight breeze.

The soothing sound of fountains filled the evening air as we rounded the corner, and I stopped, shocked at the beautiful outdoor living area that rendered me momentarily speechless.

The pool was incredible. Lounge chairs lined a sun shelf with a sloped entrance to the pool that was a perfect length to do laps. A basketball hoop stood to the side, and an outdoor kitchen flanked the other end.

“Oh, Ares,” I whispered. “It’s gorgeous.”

The furniture was arranged in several comfortable settings, including an area around an electric firepit. Twinkle lights stretched across the indoor-outdoor seating closest to the house, and I laughed as he led me beneath them with a hand on my lower back.

Then it hit me what they reminded me of. “Like the bar.”

“I had to bring something from home. It’s where our fake relationship started.”

My heart warmed. “Best decision I ever made.”

“It was one of them.” He faced me. Then, he took a knee, pulling a small black box from his pocket before opening it.

I gasped. A substantial square solitaire diamond sparkled on a diamond-lined white gold band. It was breathtaking. My hand shook at the enormity of what was happening as he took it in his.

“Yes!”

“Wait, I have a whole speech, and I worked really hard on it. Just wait.”

My heart burst with love for my man.

“Brielle Sinclair, I knew I’d met my match the moment I saw you. You captivated me with your beauty and sharp tongue. If my family and I hadn’t had such a propensity for ruining your clothes, I don’t know that I would have stood a chance with you. ”

I laughed, tears misting my eyes.

“The mean girls were another way the universe pushed us together. I think they would approve. According to their motto, money can buy your future. I know you’re not like that, but I’m hoping this ring symbolizes how you hold my future in your hands, and I hope I can have yours.

I’ve never had a connection with anyone like I do with you.

Not only are you beautiful on the outside, but you’re even more so on the inside.

I want to be able to tell you everything just to share it with you.

You’re my best friend. I want to fall asleep with you in my arms every night and see your face first thing every morning for the rest of my life. Will you marry me, Brielle?”

Tears rolled unchecked down my face, and my heart practically burst with happiness. “Yes. I love you so much, Ares.”

He slipped the ring onto my finger, and I launched myself into his arms, which was my absolute favorite place to be.

I loved every minute of our adventure together, including all the mishaps that drew us closer.

Whatever the future had in store for us, I knew I was where I was meant to be and with the man who was meant for me.

Continue reading the Fall Lake Baller series with Liam’s story in Red Zone.

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