He has me laughing by this time.

“And didn’t you say your father thought you had a silly major?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, this is your chance to prove him wrong.”

“True. But they still won’t like us living together.”

He waves his hand through the air. “Oh, hell, they’ll get over it when they find out you have free rent.”

“Oh no. I can’t do that. I’ll pay a part of it.”

He shrugs. “We’ll figure something out then. But make that call Monday.”

“Okay, I will.”

That evening, Drew tells me only to dress in whatever is most comfortable to me. He’s wearing jeans and a light sweater. A knock on our door surprises me and he goes to answer it with a sly smile on his face. In walks an entourage of people, one obviously a chef. His name is Michael and he’s here to prepare our dinner. I go to the bedroom to quickly change, and come out wearing jeans and a sweater, too.

The chef prepares something, but Drew won’t tell me what. And the other people have disappeared. When I ask about them, Drew only smiles and shrugs. Then he leads me back into the bedroom for a minute. “It’s a big surprise birthday dinner, so if it doesn’t work out exactly right, please don’t hold it against me.”

“Why would I hold it against you? And everything you’ve done so far has surpassed anything I’ve ever experienced, so stop.” I hug him. “You’re the best, Drew.”

“No, you are. And you stole my line.” He smacks my butt and then gets that heated look in his eyes.

“No! We can’t. Michael is out there. And those other people.”

“Don’t worry about them.” He starts stalking me around the bedroom. I can’t help giggling because I feel like a little kid. Finally, I’m trapped in the corner and he pulls me by my wrists and tosses me onto the bed, where he tickles me until I almost pee.

“With everything I’ve ever done, all the places I’ve ever been, and every person I’ve ever met, nothing can come close to the sparkle in your eyes, or the love I feel in my soul when you look at me, Cate Forbes.” His lips skim mine, teasing them, as they taste and his words touch a place in my heart I didn’t know existed.

“I feel it too, Drew, when you look at me.”

It’s one of those rare moments between two people that love each other and I don’t want it to end. But we’re interrupted by a knock, and Drew offers me a crooked grin when he gets up to answer it. I hear them murmuring, but don’t know what’s said. Then he’s back and tells me dinner will be ready in about forty-five minutes.

“Would you like some wine? And we can watch Michael cook.”

“That would be nice.”

So we sit at the small counter in the kitchen while Michael is busy preparing our meal and I soon become engrossed watching him. He’s making oven-roasted salmon, sautéed mixed baby vegetables, and parmesan risotto. He will also serve a grilled romaine salad with walnuts, gorgonzola, and a cherry vinaigrette. It all looks and sounds delicious.

When it’s almost ready, the chef nods to Drew, and Drew asks me to wait in the bedroom. I think it’s sort of strange, but I don’t say anything. I go in and sit on the bed, waiting patiently. About five minutes pass and Drew comes to get me.

“Okay, close your eyes for me, please, and I’ll lead the way.”

“We’re going someplace else?”

“Just follow my lead, Sherlock.”

With my eyes closed, and holding onto him, I follow. I step up and down when he tells me and finally I hear the words, “You can open your eyes now, Cate.”

Grinning, I do, but then, I gasp and my hand flies to my mouth. This is one of those I can’t believe it moments. I do a couple of pirouettes and my eyes stay saucered. One thing I didn’t pay attention to was the fact that there was a terrace outside of our living room. The team of people that arrived with Michael evidently came out here and decorated it. There are paper lanterns, rose petals, candles, and twinkling lights everywhere. A small table is set for dinner and music plays from inside. A waiter is ready to serve us and it’s the most perfect setting I’ve ever seen.

Drew holds the chair out for me and I sit. Our food is delivered and it’s so tasty I keep mmming.

“You keep that up, you’ll mmm yourself to death.”

“Maybe, but this is really delicious.”

“The hotel said I wouldn’t be disappointed and they were right. Michael is excellent.”

“How did you come up with this?”

“I wanted something special for your twenty-first birthday.”

“You succeeded by miles. Thank you, if I haven’t said it yet. You keep upping the ante.”

“There is no ante.” His kind eyes are earnest and intently focused on me. “I want to please you, Cate.”

It’s difficult to contain my excitement and I feel giddy. “You’ve more than done that.”

We finish eating and I’m ashamed to say there isn’t a morsel left on my plate. Then the waiter reappears with a small cake and candles in it while Drew sings me happy birthday.

“Thank you, Drew. I wouldn’t change a thing. But oh god, it’s a good thing you have another career because you’d go broke as a singer.”

“Yeah, pitiful, aren’t I?”

“Never that,” I say conjuring up images of last night remembering how he makes up for the lack of singing skills in other areas. “But the cake?”

“Just wait.”

The waiter serves us and it’s an ice cream cake with chocolate cake and oreo ice cream.

“It’s official. Best birthday ever,” I say around a huge mouthful of creamy, yummy stuff.

When we finish our cake and all the servers and Michael are gone, I look at Drew and say, “I doubt this birthday could ever be topped.”

“You sure about that?”

“Hell yeah. This was nothing but a series of awesome.”

Only he strikes me speechless when he gets out of his seat, drops to his knee, and takes my hands in his. “Cate Forbes, I knew the minute I saw you that I would be asking you this question one day. You have opened up my heart and soul to a love I didn’t understand, but now that I do, I never want to let it go.” He swallows and I feel the tears begin to well up in my eyes. “Will you say yes to being my better half? I promise to be Louise’s slave for life.” I open my mouth to form the word yes, but all the air has left my lungs. “Marry me, Cate.”

He has the most adorable look on his face; all I can do is hug him. I’m so surprised by everything he’s managed to do, but when he reaches into his pocket and pulls out the ring box, he looks like that playful, excited little boy again. He places it in the palm of his hand and holds it out for me.

Finally, words burst from my mouth. “You don’t want to put it on me?”

“I want you to see if you like it or not. If you don’t, we’ll get whatever you want.”

“I’m sure it’s perfect, like everything else about tonight.”

He just holds the box for me to take. “It’s all yours, Cate.”

I take it, open it, and feel myself smile from ear to ear. I close the box, and throw myself into his arms again. “I couldn’t have chosen anything better.” My body trembles from head to toe. I never in a million years imagined I’d be getting a diamond ring for my birthday.

“You never answered me.”

“Huh?”

“Will you marry me?”

“Yes! A million yesses!”

He stands, spins me around, and lets out a huge whoop!

“When?” I ask.

“After you graduate and I finish my residency. Next year.”

“Oh, that’s perfect. Can it be small?”

“I don’t care if we get married in the Elvis Chapel in Vegas. I just want to be Mr. Cate Forbes.” He grabs the box from me and slides the ring on my finger.

“Oh my god!” And we both start laughing. Then I sober up. “My parents!”

“They know. I called your dad to ask for your hand and for his blessing.”

I put my hand over my heart thinking how sweet that is. “You did that?”

“Of course! I’m a southern boy, you know. Besides, my mother would’ve killed me if I hadn’t.”