We are escorted by the male host who greeted us last time to a round table in the middle of the restaurant. They’ve dimmed the lights, lit candles, and have…
Oh my stars.
Chrysanthemums. All over the tables. Of every color.
“Finley…” I gasp his name, my hand flying to cover my open mouth. Water prickles in the corner of my eyes as I turn around to face him. His smile is proud, but not in a smug way. It’s a smile that screams his love for me, his appreciation and adoration of me. He takes my hand from my mouth and holds it between his own.
What in the world did I do to deserve this man?
I don’t have to be Lucy and all romance-obsessed to know exactly what’s going down tonight. “Yes,” I sputter out even though he hasn’t asked the question yet.
“Yes?” Finley asks with a tilt of his head, an action I’m pretty sure he’s picked up from being around me.
“Yes, I’ll marry you,” I say, stepping closer to him, taking my hand from his and wrapping my arms around him. I place my head against the spot where his shoulder meets his chest. A perfect spot made just for me. “That’s what you’re going to ask me tonight, right?”
His chest rumbles underneath me, and then fear that I’ve misread the situation settles.
I groan. “Oh, no. That’s not what’s happening, is it? I’m sorry. Forget I said anything.” I attempt to break away from his hold, but he doesn’t let me scurry away like my brain demands. Panic begins to rise, but I remind myself that Finley is not going to judge me or make fun of me.
He loves me.
I breathe.
“Leilei, calm your mind.” Finley tugs me back to him, but I position my head up to look at him instead of resting against him. Nota trace of a smirk or a ghost of amusement colors his handsome face. Only a genuine smile and sparkles in his blue eyes, slightly darker in the dimmed room. “That’s exactly what I’m doing.”
He steps back and slides down onto one knee, holding a silver ring with no jutting diamond.
I could cry.
“Yes!” I say again, this time with more enthusiasm.
Finley chuckles and shakes his head. “Pretty woman, will you allow me to be a gentleman and declare my intentions while showering you with affection?”
Suddenly, a memory from our first date where he asked me to allow him to be a gentleman and get my chair for me resurfaces. I can’t help but laugh. “We truly are redeeming this location.”
“I was going to ask you after dinner, but you are wonderfully perceptive and unafraid to voice your thoughts, so I will ask you now.” He clears his throat, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face before he smooths out his expression. “I want to thank you for agreeing to stand in for your sister. Without that decision, I don’t know where we’d be. Maybe God would have brought us together in another fashion, but I quite like the way it happened for us. Leilei, you are beautiful, kind, intelligent, charitable, loving, protective, and mymyssa.I’ve prayed to be loved by and to love a woman like you.”
I’m bouncing at this point, biting my tongue to not shout “yes” again like an uncontrolled beast. His words are lovely, but I already know he feels this way.My emotional man,I think to myself, grinning ear to ear.
He continues, his expression softening at my obvious joy. “Thank you for being who you are. Please, do me the honor of allowing me to love you, protect you, and date you for the rest of our lives. Be my queen, Lorelei Raine Spence.”
I’m about to burst if this man doesn’t put that ring on my finger and wrap me up in two seconds.
He laughs, then says, “You can answer now, bae.”
“Yes!” I shout, thrusting my hand into his face so that he can put the simple, perfect band onto my finger. He listened to me when I said I didn’t want a rock on it because I didn't want to risk it rubbing against my skin. And though I know the kingdom may be confused as to why their queen wears a simple band instead of a gaudy diamond, I amhappy.
After sliding the perfectly fitting ring onto my finger, Finley hops to his feet and picks me up, twirling me around once in his arms before setting me down and kissing my lips with a tender, slow passion.
When we part, Finley pulls out my chair for me, and I sit. We are immediately served wine and bread and are told that our orders (that Finley had already placed for us ahead of time) would be out shortly.
Finley pours our drinks, sets the bottle down, and holds up his glass of red liquid. This entire time, neither of our smiles have faltered. “From the moment you went on a tangent regarding the history of cheers, I was smitten with you, Lorelei. And every moment since has been nothing short of spectacular. I love you.”
I giggle, feeling like the princess I’m about to become. Clinking my glass with his, I exclaim, “Cheers!”
“To a long, joyous, and adventurous life with you.” We both take a sip of our wine, and as I reach for the bread, he grabs my hand and kisses it.
Feeling more complete and satisfied than I ever have in life, I beam at my fiancé. Definitely enjoying the upgraded term. “I love you, Finley Andersson.”
