LITMIR.BIZ

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got to be—”

      “Two point two carats.” Glenn beams. “I wanted to get something bigger, but—”

      “Bigger? Don’t be crazy. I love it.” I start to reach for it, but pull my hand back. He hasn’t offered it to me yet.

      “I know this place is pricey, and maybe we won’t be able to get it,” Glenn begins. “Yet. But it’s something to aspire to. Our dream, sweetheart. Yours and mine.”

      He takes the ring out of the box and then takes my hand. I realize I’m crying when a tear touches my lips.

      Glenn slips the ring on my left hand. “Lishelle Amanda Jennings—will you marry me?”

      I scream. Scream and throw myself onto him with so much excitement that I knock him off balance and he tumbles backward onto the hardwood floor. He puts one arm out to cushion his fall, while slipping the other arm around my waist. I land against the hard wall of his chest.

      We erupt in a fit of giggles.

      “Glenn Baxter, you little devil. I had no clue.”

      “That’s the point of a surprise.”

      I’m planting kisses all over his face when I hear, “Oh, sorry.”

      My gaze flies to the door. Sandra is standing there, blushing.

      “I heard a scream,” she explains.

      I heave myself off of Glenn and stand. “Guess I got a little excited.” I thrust out my left hand and wriggle my fingers. “Glenn just proposed!”

      “Oh, my.” Sandra oohs and aahs as she inspects my ring. “How beautiful is that? Congratulations.”

      “Thank you.”

      “Thanks.” Glenn speaks at the same time I do.

      “With a wedding around the corner, it’s the perfect time to get a new home.”

      “I do love it.” I gesture around the extraordinary room. “How could I not? Of course, it’s the first home we’ve seen—”

      “I completely understand. And I wouldn’t expect you to buy without looking around.” Sandra reaches into the pocket of her blazer and produces two cards. “I know Glenn is out of town most of the week, but if you want me to show you some other options, just give me a call. I’d happily do it today, but I have another appointment in half an hour.”

      “No problem,” I tell Sandra. “We have a fund-raiser to go to this evening, and we’ll have to go home to get ready.”

      “Call me anytime. We’ll set something up.”

      We all walk downstairs. Outside, while Sandra locks up, I imagine two children chasing each other around the lawn.

      A boy and a girl.

      I can almost hear their happy laughter.

      Glenn takes my hand, and I snap out of my reverie. I snuggle my face against his shoulder.

      I’ve heard it said that it’s usually when you’re least expecting it that love comes into your life.

      I can’t believe it, but that’s what’s happened with me.

      Chapter Ten

       Claudia

      I look amazing. If I do say so myself.

      I’ve opted for color for this evening’s charity ball, so I’m wearing a floor-length red Versace gown. It’s an off-the-shoulder number that shows a good amount of cleavage. Quite frankly, it’s stunning. And I stand out in a good way because many of the women here have opted to wear black and other dark colors.

      Adam is resting his hand on the small of my back as we walk through the crowd. All around us, people smile. Other high-profile families we know, many of them who will support Adam’s campaign for mayor when he announces his intention to run after our wedding.

      Henry Dixon, an Atlanta judge, excuses himself from the small group of people he is talking with and approaches us. “Claudia,” he says, taking both my hands in his and spreading them wide to get a good look at me. “You look fantastic.”

      “Thank you, Henry.”

      “And Adam.” Henry pumps Adam’s hand. “Great to see you, as always.”

      “Great to see you, as well.”

      “This evening looks like a roaring success. You’re doing such wonderful work for children who so desperately need it.”

      I slip beside Adam and link arms with him. “I’m so proud of him,” I say.

      Adam, who has a law degree, gave up practicing a couple years ago to run the Wishes Come True Foundation, a charity to aid terminally ill children. He’s president of the board—a volunteer position. I fully supported his decision, and every day I admire the work he does. It’s such a great cause.

      “It’s all about the kids,” Adam says. “What better cause is there than giving terminally ill children a chance to have their greatest wish come true?”

      “I agree,” Henry says. “You’re doing great work. But I still think your talents are better suited to the legal arena.”

      Adam chuckles softly. “I know what you’re getting at—and while I’m not ready to make any commitments yet, stay tuned after the wedding for a very special announcement.”

      Henry’s lips spread in a wide and knowing grin. He clamps a hand on Adam’s shoulder. “That’s what I wanted to hear.”

      Adam Hart for mayor. I can’t wait.

      I’m gazing up at Adam lovingly when I feel a hand cup my ass so intimately that fingers graze the back of my vagina. I’m so startled that I gasp and nearly jump out of my skin. Adam quickly curls his fingers around my waist, and I don’t even have to look at him to know he’s the culprit.

      “Are you all right?” Henry asks me with concern.

      “Yes.” I surreptitiously pinch Adam’s arm. “I just had a…a chill.”

      “I hope you’re not coming down with something,” Adam says, and I want to smack that smirk off his face.

      “With all the planning I still have to do for the wedding? Not a chance.” I smile sweetly at him.

      “Claudia!”

      At the sound of my name, I turn, and there’s Lishelle, hurrying toward me while holding Glenn’s hand. She releases him only when she’s close enough to throw her arms around me. No polite air kisses from Lishelle. She’s my girl and shows me love no matter where we are.

      “How you doing?” she asks, and I have to say, she’s never sounded happier. “God, you look amazing. You said you were gonna look hot, but I didn’t know this hot. Whoo!”

      “Thanks. You look pretty hot yourself. That’s the Kate Spade?”

      “Mmm-hmm. Classic but sexy.”

      “That it is.” I suddenly realize that I’ve totally ignored Glenn. I turn to him and take one of his hands into both of mine. “Glenn, hello. It’s been a long time.”

      “That it has. It’s good to see you.”

      “Good to see you, too. I hear I’ll be seeing more of you.”

      “A lot more,” Glenn agrees. Then he lifts Lishelle’s left hand to show off a brilliant three-diamond ring.

      “Whoa.” My mouth hanging open, I reach for Lishelle’s hand. “I know you said it was serious, but—”

      “He proposed this afternoon.”

      “Lishelle!” Wow, she wasn’t kidding when she said that Glenn had

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