she must have noticed. "it's a push-up top."

"well, it's pushing 'em up, that's for damn sure."

she giggled. she put her finger in her mouth and gently bit down on it. it was a nervous habit she would do, and i didn't think she realized that it was sexy as hell. i looked her body up and down again. i wanted her more than anything, but i needed to remember what i needed to take care of. i could have lex all night long.

"lex, you're so beautiful."

"thank you," she whispered as she walked over to me. she pushed her hand through my hair and kissed me. "i think you're beautiful, too."

i laughed and shook my head. "go, before grace has a heart attack, and i die from blue balls."

she walked over to her suitcase and pulled out a sundress. she slipped it over her head and blew me a kiss before leaving. "don't work too hard. daddy needs to understand that we're on our vacation!"

"i won't. i promise."

the moment she shut the door, i walked over to the window overlooking the deck and pool. i watched as everyone started making their way down to the beach. luke and colt were both carrying towels and a cooler.

i pulled out my cell phone, looked up the number to mr. shelton, and hit the button to call him.

"hello?"

"mr. shelton, this is will hayes. gunner mathews talked to you about us using your house on st. joseph island this week."

"yes, will. how are you?"

"i'm doing well. thank you. how are you, sir?"

"i have no complaints at all. so, i hear you're going to ask gunner's little girl to marry you?"

i smiled. "yes, sir, i am."

"you couldn't have picked a better spot, son. i've already talked to my ranch hand, kip. he knows what day to expect you, and he has taken care of the ride over to my place and the dinner."

"that's wonderful, sir. i can't even begin to thank you for letting me use your yacht and house for this."

"well, when gunner called me and told me what you had in mind, i couldn't help but feel deja vu. i asked my wife to marry me in a similar manner."

"really?"

he laughed. "yes, i did. we've been happily married now for eighteen years with three kids."

"i'll take that as a good sign then."

"damn straight. after sunset, i suggest taking a stroll along the beach with a blanket, but i'll deny i said that to you if gunner ever finds out."

i laughed and said, "i understand."

"so, jonathon will be the one taking you over to the island on the yacht. i'll have him give you a call the morning of, so he can explain where y'all need to go."

"perfect. i've already planned to tell lex that we are going on a private cruise to see the dolphins and the sunset."

"that sounds reasonable. now, if you need anything before then, don't hesitate to give me or jonathon a call. you have his number, right?"

"yes, sir, i do."

"good luck, will."

"thank you, sir. again, thank you for all your help on this."

"anything for gunner's little girl. enjoy your stay at the beach."

"will do for sure. have a great day."

"you, too, will."

i hung up and sent gunner a text message.

me: talked to mr. shelton. everything is set to go.

gunner: are you nervous?

me: why do i picture you laughing right now?

gunner: probably because i am!

me: yes. i'm very nervous. i've already checked six times to make sure i still have the ring.

gunner: now, i'm really laughing.

i rolled my eyes and sighed. he was going to torture me for years to come. i could already see it.

me: remember who will be taking care of you when you're old. it won't be colt.

gunner: you have a point. don't worry, son. it will be perfect, will. you know you could ask her anywhere, and she would be beyond happy.

no one but our friends knew that i had already asked lex to marry me months ago. this engagement was just making it more official with a ring, and then we could go public afterward. as far as i was concerned, lex had been mine since the day i put that promise ring on her finger.

me: thanks, gunner. i promise to make it special for her.

gunner: i know you will.

i quickly changed and started to make my way down to the beach. as i walked down the boardwalk, i couldn't help but smile. everyone was playing volleyball in the sand. libby jumped and spiked the ball, and it landed right in front of colt. luke screamed out as he ran up to her, and he picked her up and spun her around a few times before setting her back down. taylor high-fived lex, and grace was yelling that libby couldn't play because she was too good.