“I was glad to hear that you two had finally moved in together,” his father said. “None of that separate housing situation.”

“It was about time,” Andrea said, jumping in.

She knew that he had never really gotten along with his father.

“That’s right,” Clay said. He wrapped an arm around Andrea’s shoulders. “It was about time. Should have done it a long time ago.”

“Well, we’re just so happy for the both of you. After Brady and Liz’s wedding, we hoped you two would settle down next,” Marilyn said.

Clay coughed, and Andrea’s cheeks heated.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself now,” Andrea said with a laugh.

“We’re just happy to be together again,” Clay told him. “Take things as life throws them at us.”

“That’s the way to do it. You’re only young once,” Jeff said. “I always knew you were the smartest of all my children.”

Clay nearly staggered backward.

What?

His father had never said anything like that to him before. He’d never even hinted that he thought Clay even deserved to stand in Brady’s shadow.

Attorney general was as good as it would get for Clay. But no recognition until he was there. Top of his class at Yale. Top of his class at Yale Law. Supreme Court clerking. Best law job in the nation…and still nothing.

Now, all of a sudden, because he seemed to be settling down with Andrea…he was enough.

“Thanks, Dad,” he said with genuine surprise.

Andrea squeezed his arm. She knew what this meant to him.

“Can’t get to where you are today without brains and a tough work ethic,” his father continued. “It’s the Maxwell way. You’re doing great, son. Both of you.”

He smiled at them, and then Marilyn ushered him away to check out the rest of the gallery. Clay was left reeling.

“Are you okay?” Andrea asked.

“I just…I never expected his approval,” he admitted.

“You never needed it. You have always been amazing, just the way you are. You walked out of Brady’s shadow. Maybe it’s time to let go of the things that your father said to you when you were just a kid.” She brushed her fingers across his cheek. “You were just a kid.”

He nodded. “You’re right. It’s…it’s time to let them go. Focus on what’s important. What’s right in front of me. And that’s my successful girlfriend.”

She giggled. “This isn’t about me.”

“Oh, Andrea”—he swept his hand out to the incredible gallery opening—“this is all about you. Just as it should be.”

Chapter 29

MY SOUL TO TAKE

“Are you sure you’re ready?” Gigi asked.

She was anxiously biting her nails. It was a habit he had been noticing more and more over the last couple of weeks.

He grabbed her hands and forced them still. “Stop biting your nails. You’re making me anxious.”

“Sorry. I just want everything to be right for you.”

“It’ll be fine. I mean…” He ran a hand back through his hair. “I think it will be fine. Just have everyone there at the right time, and it will all go as planned.”

She beamed. “Excellent. I can do that.” Then, she launched herself at him and squeezed him tight. “Oh my God, I’m so excited for you.”

Clay gingerly patted her shoulder, laughing all the while. “You’re so excitable.”

“Not every day this sort of thing happens,” she said, releasing him. “I mean…once in a lifetime, really.”

“Let’s hope.”

“And she really has no idea? I mean, you told her that we were all going out to celebrate Chris moving to town. Big party and all. She hasn’t suspected a thing?”

Clay grinned. “Not a thing. Though…I suppose that’s my fault.”

His face fell. Tonight was the big night. He was getting all of his friends together. He’d made sure they had the room reserved at Andrea’s favorite restaurant. He was going to take her on a moonlit stroll, the whole shebang. And then he was going to pop the question. He could do it.

But, of course…Andrea never would suspect it. Because he had made it so damn clear to her over the years that he never, ever wanted to get married. That wasn’t his future. In fact, the mere thought of marriage had made his throat swell up, his hands sweat, and a sudden fever come on. Marriage had felt like a trap. One woman forever. He’d shuddered at the very thought. And Andrea, of all people, knew that. She’d always known that.

No…there was no way she would see tonight coming. Not at all.

“It’s not your fault. You’ve changed,” Gigi said at once. “And, anyway, her not knowing is a good thing. Every girl wants to be surprised by a proposal! You’re doing the right thing. She’ll never guess!”

“Right. The right thing,” he muttered.

“Oh my God, do not get all freaked out on me now! You have the ring. You have the setup. You have all your friends in place and even a freaking photographer to capture every moment. Clay, all you have to do is ask her.”

“Yeah…”

She put her hand on his arm. “And she’s going to say yes.”

“Well, we’ll see tonight, won’t we?”

“Yes, we will. Eep! I’m so excited that I get to see it all happen!” she nearly shrieked. “Okay. Go home. Get your girl. I’ll see you at the restaurant, and I will have everything in place! Don’t worry about a thing.”

“Got it. I’ll see you soon.”

Clay fingered the box in his pocket, opening and closing it obsessively as he walked out to his waiting Porsche. He couldn’t believe how much he was freaking out. His stomach was in knots over this. He didn’t think she’d say no. She wouldn’t say no. Would she?

God, stupid insecurities.

He drove back to their place without really even realizing where he was going. But, suddenly, he was parking and walking up the steps. He needed to get his thoughts in order if he was going to get through the next couple of hours without her suspecting anything was up with him. He wanted this to be a total surprise.