“This isn’t a launch.”
Zander appears with a drink, Prescott with his usual dry delivery.“Looks like one from here,” Prescott notes.“Two parties combining assets, sharing resources, creating something greater than the sum of their parts…”
Through the glass, I see Mia—deep green dress hugging every curve—helping Ada and her older sister Julianna arrange dessert plates.Her hair falls loose over one shoulder, catching the candlelight every time she laughs.
Every time she glances my way, my chest tightens, my cock hardens, and I remember exactly why I’m doing this tonight.
Three months on theWest Wind.Three months waking up to her chaos, falling asleep to her warmth, hearing her laugh mix with Isla’s.
And tonight, I’m asking her to marry me.
"The boat's beautiful," Connor says quietly, following my gaze to the harbor."Though possibly the most obvious proposal setup in maritime history."
“Dammit, you think?I was trying to be…thoughtful.She loves sailing.Her parents taught her to sail.It's symbolic of?—"
"Commitment issues?"Donovan suggests."Because nothing says 'I love you' like a vehicle that can literally sail away?"
"Or maybe it's perfect," Zander adds, "because it represents freedom and adventure and all those things she gave up to find her independence with you."
I glare at him."Your renewable energy philosophy is showing."
"My renewable energy philosophy is about sustainable partnerships that benefit both parties long-term," he corrects."Which, coincidentally, is the very opposite of every marriage I know."He slaps Connor’s shoulder.“Aside from this one’s.”
"PRETTY BOAT!PRETTY BOAT FOR PRETTY MIA!"Captain Feathers' voice carries clearly from inside.
"You know what your problem is?"Connor leans against the terrace railing, completely relaxed despite discussing my impending emotional crisis."You're overthinking it.When I proposed to Ariana, I had this whole elaborate plan involving her favorite restaurant and a string quartet."
"And?"
"I ended up proposing on our balcony after she finished remote-handling a client crisis."He grins."Best decision I ever made, even if the timing was terrible."
Before I can respond, the terrace doors open and Mia steps out, her smile brighter than all of Ada's fairy lights combined.
“Look at the four of you, all huddled around.”She slips her arm through mine.“Plotting something out here?Bianca thinks you all might be planning to steal Ada's tiramisu recipe."
"Nothing that ambitious," I manage, throat drying with each syllable."Just...enjoying the view."
"It is beautiful," she agrees, looking out over the harbor.Her eyes catch on theMia Bella, and she tilts her head."That's a lovely boat.I don't remember seeing it there yesterday."
My friends trade looks that are about as subtle as Captain Feathers' marriage commentary.
"Would you like to see it?"I ask, the words tumbling out."The boat, I mean.It's...there's something I want to show you."
"Now?"She glances back at the villa where Ada's calling everyone to dinner."But the feast?—"
"Will wait," Ada's voice carries from the doorway."The boat, however, is only beautiful in this light for a few more minutes.Go!Go!Enjoy your Christmas surprises."
Mia's eyebrows arch toward the sky."Christmas surprise?"
"Among other things," I mutter, already regretting every decision that led to this moment.
The walk to the harbor takes exactly four minutes and thirty-seven seconds.
I know because I count every step, my hand sweating where it holds hers, the ring box in my jacket pocket feeling heavier with each footfall.
"Roarke," Mia stops short as we reach the dock, staring at theMia Bellain all her sleek, thirty-foot glory."Please tell me you didn't?—"
"Buy you a sailboat for Christmas?And if I did?”
