GABE (Silicon Valley Billionaires 2)

“Babe. You know who I am, and you accept me. But I knew me before—and I know that I’m a better man because of you.”

“Oh…thank you.”

Gabe’s eyes widened. “No—thank you. Because you’ve given me the life I always wanted. You’ve inspired me, and you inspire me every day. I consider it an honor to know you. I mean that. I love you so much, babe.”

My eyes filled with tears, but I held them back. “I love you too.”

“Good.” Gabe seemed to relax a fraction. “But back to logistics. My mother got married today.”

“I know. I was there.”

“Lauren, your genius is showing.” He flashed a dimple. “Because this was her day, I didn’t think this was the right time…”

I bit my lip. I wanted to ask: The right time for what? But I felt suspiciously like I might burst into tears.

“But she insisted it was. She said she was too old to have her thunder stolen.”

“Babe?”

“Yes?”

“Can you please tell me what you’re talking about?”

He laughed to himself, and I saw his dimple. I reached out to stroke his cheek.

He pulled the nightstand drawer open and brought out a small, square box, then looked up at me. “My father gave this to my mother—it isn’t much. It was all he could afford.”

I could see the muscles in his throat work as he swallowed, and I almost lost it.

He opened the box, and there was a ring inside—a simple gold band and a solitary, circular diamond.

“I wanted you to have this ring because it’s special to me. I know how much my dad loved my mom—I love you that much. And I want to ask you: will you marry me? I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

I opened my mouth to respond and promptly burst into tears.

Gabe pulled me to him, cradling me in his arms. I thought he might be crying too, but I couldn’t be sure. Once I finally calmed down, he pulled back. “Was there an answer in there somewhere?”

“Yes. The answer is yes.”

A look of pure joy, the likes I’d never seen, broke out over his face. “I’m so glad.”

He slid the ring onto my finger, and we both stared at it. “I can’t believe it fits like it was made for you. I guess this really was meant to be.” Gabe pulled me back into his arms, and then we both cried. This time, I was sure.

Once we calmed down, we sat on the bed and admired my left hand. “My mother would love this ring. I wish she could be here.” Still, I felt her with me—breathing a huge sigh of relief.

“I wish I could’ve met your parents. They must’ve been amazing people.”

“They were. They would have loved you.”

He kissed the top of my head. “I need to call my mom. And you need to call your sister.”

I sat up straight. “Did she know? Is that why she was acting so funny on the phone?”

Gabe nodded, looking guilty. “I asked her permission.”

“That’s cute—so why do you look like that—guilty?”

Gabe looked down, playing with the ring on my finger. “She got, er…a little excited.”