Page 4 of Awakened By the Guardian

He grinned. “Not at all. In fact, I reached my goal today.”

Her eyes widened, and her heart went ka-thump. She knew all about his goals. The moment he cleared a million dollars he would turn his attention to a wife and family. So, if he’d hit his goal today, their relationship was well and truly done. She had to step aside. He had to find a real woman to love.

“Yup,” he continued, his eyes bright. “I sold the tech startup. Cleared three quarters of a million. And with my other assets”—he held up his hands—“I’m worth approximately one-point-one.”

Pain lanced through Margaret. She was happy for him, but this meant they were done. On her birthday, she had to give up her best friend.

“Congratulations!” she cried, putting in extra effort to cover her pain. “Oh my God, you’re a millionaire!”

“I am,” he said, sitting back proudly. “And I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“Me?” she squeaked. “I haven’t done⁠—”

“You did. You saved my life when we met. You forced me to accept this wheelchair and do whatever it took to stay healthy. Without you pestering me, I don’t think I would have faced my limitations.”

Margaret shook her head. “You have no limitations, Gary.”

He really didn’t. Not like her. Oh hell, she was dying inside. She was going to miss everything about him. His strength despite his disability, his focused drive to achieve what he wanted. He inspired her every day, and now she had to leave him.

“So,” he continued, “now that I’ve made that goal, it’s time for me to focus on the next.”

A wife and a family.

“You don’t have to push forward right away, do you?” she heard herself ask. “I mean, take a moment to celebrate the win.” But that was a vain hope. Gary never slowed.

“Hush,” he said with mock severity. “We’re talking about you now.”

No, no, no! This was even worse than she’d feared. He was about to make some sort of declaration and she couldn’t let him. Not when she had to turn him down. “We don’t have to do this now, do we? Let’s watch the movie!”

Please.

“I’m trying to give you your birthday present,” he growled. And it really was a growl. Hell, she hadn’t ever heard him make that kind of sound. It was almost…animal.

“Gary—”

He didn’t let her continue. Instead, he pulled out a jeweler’s box from his pocket. A small black velvet one.

Her heart thudded in her throat. That couldn’t possibly be what it looked like. Had he really decided to leap straight to marriage? With her?

Her gaze shot to his, which was unusually bright. His skin was flushed, too, and he took a huge gulp of water. “Gary, you look⁠—”

“Just listen,” he snapped. “It’s not what you think.”

“I think we’re best friends,” she squeaked, trying not to remember how even that would soon end. “And that doesn’t look like a best friend present.”

He didn’t stop. He popped open the box, and sure enough, nestled in the groove was a ring. The diamond was huge in its old-fashioned setting, and it was surrounded by a zillion little diamond chips. Ostentatious, and not at all her style. And definitely an engagement ring.

Her head started to spin, and she realized her hand was pressed to her mouth. How had she let it get this far? How had she not seen that he was on the verge of proposing? I mean, she loved him, too, but⁠—

“This was my grandmother’s,” he said. “I know it’s an ugly setting, but that can change.”

“Gary, I⁠—”

“Stop. It’s not your present, Margaret.”

She was confused for a moment, but then she exhaled, relief flooding her body. And a tiny pang of regret.

“I wanted you to see it,” he clarified. “To know that I intend to give it to someone someday. I want to get married and have children.”