Page 59 of This Kind of Forever

When the ring flashes at me for the tenth time, I can’t help myself. I take her hand, then press a kiss to the spot where the stone rests.

Her blue eyes go wide. They dart around the table before returning to me. “Gabe,” she breathes.

I lower our joined hands to my lap, running my thumb over her knuckles. “Yeah, Foster?”

She studies the gentle movement for a moment, then visibly swallows. “Nothing,” she whispers.

I wait for her to pull her hand back, but when she doesn’t, I keep dragging my thumb back and forth across her soft skin. Hereyelashes fan the tops of her cheekbones as she lets her eyes fall closed for a moment, sinking into the comfort I’m providing.

Eventually, we finish our food, and then the dishes are cleared away. While the dinner portion was served to us, the dessert is buffet-style. I can already tell Hallie is eyeing the cake from across the room, so we’ll definitely be stopping by the dessert table before the night is through.

The other people at our table slowly leave as they start to mingle. When it’s just Hallie and me, I turn to ask her if she wants to dance, but someone interrupts me.

“Hallie, Gabe, how lovely to see you again.”

We both look up to find Dana standing over us. She has a very distinct mother-of-the-bride air about her, and there is zero kindness in her gaze when it rests on Hallie. You would think she’d have more pressing things to focus on, today of all days.

I reach out and place a hand on Hallie’s thigh.I’ve got you, Foster.

“Hi, Dana.” Hallie pastes on a polite smile. “The wedding was beautiful, and so is the reception. You and Caitlyn did a great job with everything.”

“Yes, well, it was all quite expensive,” she says. “I wouldn’t get your hopes up about having the same kind of assistance with yours.”

What the fuck?

Hallie’s smile falters. “That’s fine. I’m not expecting anything.”

Dana nods. “Good. Managing expectations is wise.” She waits a beat, then says, “Enjoy the rest of the evening.”

When Dana is far enough away, I ask, “Are you alright?”

Hallie nods, but it does little to convince me. “Do you want to dance? We should dance.”

She’s out of her chair before I can reply, so I simply follow her. She stops at the edge of the dance floor, and suddenly, she looks unsure.

I hold out a hand. “Let me take your mind off things.”

Hallie sets her palm in mine, and I pull her close. With my arm around her, my hand resting on her lower back, we begin to sway like the rest of the couples occupying the floor. On the far side, I see Caitlyn and Amara sharing a dance.

“I might step on your toes,” Hallie warns.

I grin. “Do your worst, baby. I can take it.”

She shakes her head, making the waves of her hair flutter around her shoulders, but her eyes dance with laughter.

From across the room, I can feel Dana’s gaze on us. Suddenly, I want nothing more than to sell this thing for Hallie. I want everyone to see how happy we are. How happy I can make her.

“We haven’t talked about how far you want to take things,” I say quietly, for only Hallie to hear.

“How far?” she asks.

“Yeah.” I lick my lips, tilting my head closer. “You’re supposed to be my fiancée. We want to make it look real, don’t we?” I ask. “So do I have your permission to treat you like you’re mine?”

Her fingers tighten on my shoulders, and she inhales an unsteady breath. “What would being yours look like, exactly?”

I tuck a wayward strand of hair behind her ear, delaying as I debate with myself over how to answer that question. With the truth, I decide.

“I wouldn’t let you walk home from work. I’d pick you up every time. I’d always let you and Abbie pick the music, even if I can’t stand the songs. I’d learn new recipes so you’d always have something you could eat. And I’d watch 10 Things I Hate About You on repeat, just to see you smile.”