Page 68 of Come A Little Closer

“I’d rather you hear it from me,” I said honestly, looking right into her clear blue eyes. “It took me a while to tell Niall about it, but after I did, he was contacted by a collection agency. He paid off that debt on my behalf. I didn’t ask him to do it, and honestly, we nearly broke up because of it, but that’s the extent of it. He’s never bought me jewelry or anything else, like I told you, but he did pay off my debt without my knowledge.”

Her long eyelashes fluttered a few times before she nodded. “I’m sorry about your ex-husband. To be perfectly honest, I’m surprised by Niall, but I suppose this proves you were right. He does love you, and in addition to that, I’m proud of him for clearing your name of that burden.”

“You are?”

She suddenly laughed and reached for my arm, giving it a little squeeze as she nodded. “You’re okay, Tallulah. Really. I’m glad he’s finally found someone who’s worthy of him. I just hope that doesn’t change as you become more serious.”

“All I want from him is his love,” I assured her, a little stunned by the encounter. She nodded again, smiled, and walked away.

With no idea what to think, I went back to the main festival area in search of Niall just as the fireworks started. They exploded overhead in bright colors, a spectacular display to signal the beginning of the biggest concert the Hallow’s Eve Festival had ever had, and I stopped to watch them, surprised when Niall suddenly appeared beside me.

He wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling my back to his front and propping his chin on my shoulder. “There you are. I’ve been looking all over for you.”

“You have?” I asked mildly. “I’ve been right here.”

He chuckled, pressing a hot kiss to the side of my throat before he hugged me even tighter. “What have you done with my mother?”

“What do you mean?” I frowned. “She was fine when she left me.”

“That’s exactly what I’m talking about,” he said, sounding genuinely confused. “She just came to find me and told me that we have her blessing. Apparently, I’ve found myself a wonderful girl and I should put a ring on your finger before you realize that you can do better.”

I chuckled, but happiness exploded through me as bright and as colorful as the fireworks above. “I think she and I are going to get along just fine.”

Niall spun me around in his arms so I was facing him, giving me a look I couldn’t decipher. Almost like he was up to something he didn’t want to share with me just yet. Instead, he just smiled and spread his arms to his sides.

“Look around, baby. You did this and it was a total hit. People loved it. Even my mom’s snobby friends are raving. You did an amazing job, but I have bad news.”

I frowned. “Yeah? What’s that?”

“You’ve set the bar high for all the other events that are going to be taking place here now. I hope you’re up to the challenge.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” I pushed myself up against him and sealed my lips over his, fireworks exploding high above us in a cascade of all the colors of the rainbow.

I didn’t quite know how I’d become so lucky to have the actual love of my life in it now, and I still couldn’t believe just how much things had changed since I’d met him, but Niall Morrison was it for me and now his mother knew it too.

32

NIALL

Afew days after the festival, Jake and I were out shopping. Clear blue skies stretched on for miles overhead and the sun sat high in the sky, warming the back of my neck as we walked down a cobblestoned street lined with exclusive boutiques.

Jake kept up with me as I strode toward our destination, but I could practically feel the confusion coming off of him. Eyes covered with big sunglasses, he looked around like his head was on swivel before he finally turned to me without breaking stride.

“Okay, I give up. What are we doing here? I thought we might be coming to check out a property but I don’t see anything we’d usually be interested in.”

I glanced up and down the street and shrugged. “All of these have already been renovated or rebuilt. You’re right. There’s nothing here for us.”

“Great, I’m right.” He sighed, spinning so he was walking backward to face me as we rounded the next corner. “What are we doing here, Niall?”

“We’re here for that.” I inclined my chin toward the jewelry store on the other side of the street, stopping since we’d reached the pedestrian crossing. “Daniel’s Designs is the foremost place for diamonds in the greater Louisiana area.”

“Diamonds?” He frowned, pulling his sunglasses off to stare at me. “I know I’ve been doing a great job lately, but a simple thank you would be sufficient.”

“I’m going to ask Tallulah to marry me.” I kicked away from the curb after checking to make sure I wasn’t about to get run over. “Are you coming?”

“What?” Jake echoed from behind me, his footsteps smacking against the blacktop as he hurried to catch up. “You can’t just drop a bombshell like that and walk away. That’s huge, bro. You’re really going to ask her to marry you?”

I nodded, eyes on the intricate metal sign hanging above the door I was aiming for. Nerves churned in my stomach, but I rolled my fingers into fists and marched straight ahead, not about to let them deter me.