I turn to him, my mind spinning with wonder.“This is magical, Finn!What are we celebrating?What’s the occasion?”
“You,” he says, pulling me into his arms.“You’re the occasion.You’re the celebration.”
I rise up on my tiptoes and give him a soft kiss, then lower down to the ground again.
“You look confused, Emma.That’s not what I was going for.”
I laugh.“It’s…” I shake my head.“No one’s ever done something like this for me.It’s so perfect, so sweet.I think I’m a little overwhelmed.”
“Overwhelmed is okay, as long as you’re hungry at the same time.”
“I think I can manage that.”
Finn seats me in one of the chairs and slides it in for me, then drops a tender kiss on my cheek.He lights the candles as the late afternoon light slips into early evening.He pours me a glass of champagne and raises his glass.I raise mine.
“To us,” Finn says.“To the only chick I’ll ever bring to my spot.”
“To the only man who can take me to his spot.Or even has a spot.”
“To love,” he says.
I’m smiling so big it feels like my face can’t hold the weight of all this happiness.“To love.”
We clink our glasses.
Our dinner is spectacular.Finn tells me he hired a Las Vegas chef to cater our meal, and that Phyllis, Summer, and Jasmine worked with the chef on the French menu—coq au vin, braised fennel salad, and parsley mashed potatoes.For dessert we have a vanilla crème brûlée.
I am in awe of the food, the scenery, and the company.Over dinner Finn tells me a few more stories about growing up on the ranch and more about his mother.He doesn’t talk about her much, but when he does, it’s always with a sense of reverence.
He loved her a lot, and lost her when he was thirteen.
“Finn?”
He reaches across the table and takes my hand.“Yes?”
“Is everything all right?”
“Everything’s perfect, why?”
I tip my head and study him.
“Oh, damn.”
It looks like he’s dropped something under the table, and he’s on his hands and knees.I wait for him to pop up again, but it’s taking longer than I would think.
I decide to look under the tablecloth to check on him.
He pops out in front of me and slides to one knee.
“Emma, you’re the most incredible woman I’ve ever known.”
Both my hands go to my mouth.I stare at this beautiful man with the intense violet eyes at my feet.This can’t be happening.I’m shaking.
“I love you with all that I am.I’d like to spend my life at your side.Please be my wife.”
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a tiny black velvet box and flips open the lid.
I have to blink a few times because my eyes can’t handle the flash.I’m not sure if it’s the dramatic sunset or the huge diamond—or just Finn—but the air itself sparkles with energy.
