Page 87 of Guarding Truth
“Uh, it’s at a hotel down on the riverfront,” Caleb replied without making eye contact with her.
Internal alarms rang.
Caleb couldn’t lie. He was up to something. The last thing she needed was a surprise at aStar Trekconvention. The surprise was her agreeing to go in costume. That was enough excitement for one night.
“We’re here,” Ivy squealed. Caleb pulled the car around the horseshoe driveway and stopped in front of the lobby doors to one of the swankiest hotels Juliette had ever seen.
“TheseStar Trekfans must make a lot of money to stay at a place like this,” she said.
Caleb gave his keys to the valet—who failed to hide a laugh when sizing up their attire—and Ivy raced inside. Juliette followed, but Caleb grabbed her hand. “Ivy will be fine. She’s going to get us—um…registered? At the table with the…you know…registration.”
Okay. Since when did Caleb let Ivy out of his sight? And why was he so nervous?
Wait…was Caleb going to propose to her? At aStar Trekconvention? While she was dressed like this?
They walked along the boardwalk to the back of the hotel, which had a stunning view of the river. Tiki torches with flames lit the pathway and created a moment of pure magic.
“This place is beautiful, Caleb. But why are there no people? I expected to see alien costumes and Spock lookalikes. This is so?—”
He put his finger over her lips. “There isn’t a convention. I—I made it up.”
“You? That can’t be. You must have had help.”
“I wanted to create the perfect moment. Of course I had help. I want to give you the world, Juliette. You deserve every moment to be special.” He got down on one knee with a ring, and Juliette forced herself not to squeal in excitement.
“Yes!” she exclaimed.
“I didn’t say anything yet.”
“Right. Sorry!”
“Juliette, will you marry me? Ivy and I love you so much. We want to be a family.”
“Yes! Of course I’ll marry you.”
He placed the ring on her finger and stood, and she practically tackled him with a hug. She kissed him, relishing the thought that this was just their beginning. She’d get to kiss him this way for the rest of their lives. Because man, Caleb could kiss. Why hadn’t she figured that out sooner?
She put her hands on his chest and moved half an inch back. “But this proposal doesn’t count.”
“Oh please. You mean you want me to do it again?” Caleb’s perplexed face caused Juliette to burst out in laughter.
“It doesn’t count because we’re in costumes, and that’s not how I want to remember this perfect moment. I can’t tell Alana and Noelle that you proposed to me while I was wearing a Star Fleet uniform with Spock ears.”
“Yeah, about that.” He grabbed her hand and led her back toward the hotel. “Like I said, I did have some help planning this little ruse.”
Bright lights burst on by the resort-style pool. A cheer erupted as they approached. Caleb leaned in and whispered, “Sorry, I guess you’ll have to celebrate as Spock. I never in a million years would have guessed that you’d dress up.”
Juliette spun around and saw all of her Elite Guardians friends hanging out around the pool. A buffet was set up under a tent with all kinds of island fare. Tropical music played in the background. Even though the temperature was a bit chilly, heaters made it feel like a Caribbean paradise.
Ivy raced down the path and wrapped herself around Juliette’s waist. “You said yes! I almost blew the secret. It was so hard to stay quiet. I can’t believe you dressed up!”
“And I can’t believe you didn’t tell me to change.”
Juliette walked with Ivy still attached to her. “Is that funnel cake I smell?”
Caleb laughed. “Yes, I requested something made from pure sugar be added to the menu.”
They entered the gate around the enclosed patio next to the pool, and Juliette found herself sandwiched between Noelle and Alana in a group hug. Alana whispered in her ear, “Girl, I am not letting you live down this outfit. But if anyone can pull off a skin-tight space uniform, it’s you. You look hot.” Juliette greeted Jonah and Cash, Noelle’s and Alana’s significant others.