Chapter 186

Chapter 186
Rainey's POV

The cheers hadn't fully died down when Sunny turned to Rick, clapping him on the shoulder. "Hey, man. You got this?"

Rick looked at the ocean of roses spread across the lawn, then back at Sunny with a grin. "Seriously? You're leaving me with this?"

"You know what to do." Sunny's voice was casual, but there was gratitude underneath.

Ava stepped forward, her eyes bright as she surveyed the flower-covered grass. "Sunny, why don't we give these to everyone here? Let them share in the joy?"

Grandma nodded enthusiastically beside her. "What a lovely idea!"

I glanced at the massive heart-shaped arrangement, still glowing under the spotlights. It felt wrong to just walk away from it.

Sunny's hand found mine, warm and steady. He leaned down, his breath tickling my ear. "Rick's got it handled. Steven and everyone's waiting. Can't keep them hanging."

His thumb traced circles on the back of my hand, and just like that, my protests melted.

"Okay," I whispered.



We didn't go straight to the restaurant.

Instead, Sunny led me to that familiar oak tree on the edge of campus.

Sunny stopped and turned to face me, his hands settling on my shoulders. His expression was serious now, all traces of his earlier playfulness gone.

"Rainey," he said. "Let's pick a date. Let's just... do this. Get married before you go."

My breath caught. "What?"

"I mean it." His grip tightened slightly. "You're going to France soon—that whole two-month international law program. And I..." He paused, jaw working. "I'm just starting my business. I can't get out of it. I have to be there."

"Plus," he continued, voice dropping lower, "French guys have this fucking habit of thinking harassment is romance. I don't want any of them getting ideas. Not for one second."

Despite everything, I almost laughed. "Sunny—"

"I'm serious." His hands slid down to my waist, pulling me closer. "I can't stand the thought of being an ocean away while some asshole tries to—" He cut himself off, shaking his head. "No. Just no."

I reached up, cupping his face in both hands. "Okay."

"Okay?"

"Yes. Let's pick a date." The words came out stronger than I expected. "I've been waiting for this."

His eyes widened slightly.

"And I want to be yours, Sunny Hayes," I added, my voice shaking just a little. "So yes."

For a moment, he just stared at me. Then he was kissing me—hard and desperate.

When we finally pulled apart, both breathless, he pressed his forehead to mine.



By the time we reached the private dining room at the restaurant, Steven, Grandma, Robert, and Mark were already seated, their faces lighting up when we walked in hand-in-hand.

Sunny cleared his throat. "So, uh... we talked. And we want to do this soon. Like, really soon."

Grandma's hand flew to her mouth, tears immediately welling up. "Oh, sweetheart. Oh."

She reached for me, pulling me into a tight hug. "My beautiful girl," she whispered against my hair. "I'm so happy. So, so happy."

Steven stood, raising his glass with that proud-professor smile I'd come to know so well. "This is the best news I've heard all year. Congratulations to both of you."

But it was Robert's reaction that surprised me most.

"Finally!" He stood, voice booming. "Best decision you've ever made, son. And don't worry about a thing—we will give Rainey the wedding she deserves. The biggest, most beautiful—"

"Dad." Sunny's voice held a warning.

Robert ignored him, already reaching for the whiskey. "This calls for a celebration!"

Mark caught my eye across the table, a knowing smile on his face. "He's been waiting for this," he mouthed.

One drink became two, then three. Robert kept toasting—to love, to family, to "finally having a daughter-in-law with some sense"—until his words started slurring.

Eventually, Mark stood, gently pulling Robert to his feet. "Alright, brother. Time to get you back."

"But we're celebrating!" Robert protested, swaying slightly.

"We'll celebrate more tomorrow," Mark promised, shooting us an apologetic look. "Martin's waiting in the car. You two keep going—don't let this old drunk ruin your night."

As they left, Robert turned back one more time. "Welcome to the family, Rainey," he called out, "Welcome home."



The champagne had left me pleasantly fuzzy around the edges as we said our goodbyes. Sunny drove his black Dodge Challenger through the streets of Millbrook, one hand on the wheel, the other laced with mine.

"Where are we going?" I asked, watching unfamiliar neighborhoods blur past the window.

"You'll see." His smile was mysterious, almost boyish. "Your real birthday present."

I tried to sit still, but the champagne made me restless. Sunny pulled over the second when I reached for the window button, then he shot his hand out, catching my wrist.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"I just wanted some air—"

"There are cars everywhere." His grip was firm but not rough. "You want to lose your hand?"

Before I could protest, he pulled his tie loose with his free hand and wrapped it gently around my wrist, securing it to the armrest. The silk was soft, the knot loose enough that I could slip out if I really wanted to.

But I didn't want to.

"There," he said, satisfaction in his voice. "Behave."

I tugged experimentally at the tie. "This is ridiculous."

"This is you being safe." He glanced over, eyebrow raised. "Unless you want to tell me why you're trying to stick your hand out a moving car?"

"Dutch courage," I muttered. "You're being all mysterious and taking me to some unknown location. A girl gets nervous."

His laugh was low and warm. "Baby, if I wanted to kidnap you, I wouldn't need to drive to do it."

Fair point.

Thirty minutes later, we pulled into a neighborhood that made my breath catch. The houses—no, estates—sat behind iron gates and perfectly manicured lawns. Everything screamed old money and privacy.

"Sunny," I started, suddenly unsure, "where—"

"Hold on." He pulled up to a gate, typed in a code, and drove through as it swung open.

The house that appeared made my heart stop.

It was modern, all clean lines and huge windows, but what caught my attention was the yard. Instead of roses or the typical American lawn, the entire front was filled with flowers. Massive, blooming peonies in shades of pink and white, glowing under carefully placed garden lights.

"Oh my God," I breathed, fumbling with the tie. "Sunny, this is—"

He was already out of the car, coming around to open my door. As I stepped out, still staring at the flowers, he came up behind me, arms wrapping around my waist, chin settling on my shoulder.

"Happy birthday," he murmured against my neck. "Do you like it?"

"Like it?" I couldn't process fast enough. "It's incredible, but whose—"

"Ours." His arms tightened. "It's our wedding house, Rainey. Yours and mine."

I spun in his arms, nearly stumbling. "Our what?"