Hale to Pay (Arrangement Series Book 6)

by Francesca Penn

  I get lost in my thoughts as I navigate the house.

  After some wonderful desk sex, we called our families and went out for a celebratory dinner. I laughed while my parents argued over who was responsible for my intelligence. Wyn bragged about me with the pride of someone who worked three jobs just to get me through law school. I found myself looking around the table at the people I loved and appreciating how lucky I am. My sisters and I love each other and always cheer the other on with no jealousy between us and Oran and his brother are really bonding. I found myself wishing Berke was there. I felt better after he sent me a text.

  Dallas sat next to my mom and stared at her most of the dinner. He was so childlike with his wonder and even asked her to sign his magazine where she graced the cover in a string bikini. My dad ignored his fandom most of the dinner but shot him a side eye when my mom started blushing.

  “What are you smiling about?” Wyn ask me when he appears.

  “Dallas drooling over my mom.”

  Wyn’s smile widens. “He was ready to risk it all and get a cougar. Your dad doesn’t strike me as a street fighter so Dallas would’ve been the next broke Hale.”

  “Guaranteed,” I agree but I’m checking out my husband’s body language.

  He’s rocking side to side, fidgeting, and smiling like a crazy person. He’s either up to something or knows a secret.

  “Follow me,” he tells me. I catch up with him and he’s standing in the middle of our room. “Close your eyes.”

  I do and I’m already smiling because I’m good with any outcome of this scenario.

  “Since we decided not to rush having children, you’ve been grooming me, making me lunches, and picking out outfits. So I figured you needed an outlet for all your maternal energy. Hold out your hands.” I do as he instructed and my palms feel warm. “Open your eyes.”

  I look at a ball of white fur and cock my head to the side to figure out what it is.

  “Wait,” Wyn says. He picks up the ball and turns it until I see a little black button.

  “Does it open?” I ask, unsure what he gave me.

  “I hope not,” he laughs. He rubs it and two black eyes open.

  “Awwwww!” I cry out. “This fluffy ball is a puppy!”

  “He’s a teacup Pomeranian puppy.”

  “He? I’ll call him Puff!”

  Puff lets out the smallest bark and rolls over. I found his feet! I don’t realize I’m crying until I sniff.

  Wyn pulls me close and kisses my eyes. “I hope these are happy tears.”

  “Yes,” I nod. “This is a very sweet gesture. I love it.”

  “And I love you Imala Hale.”

  My heart is so full, more tears spill. “I love you, too, Caerwyn. You make me so happy. Thank you for saving me.”

  He gives me a soft kiss then smiles at me. “No. You saved me.”