“What? I thought… what is this?”
Tessa gives me a reassuring look. “Like I said, he’s far gone for you.”
“Danny did this? When did he do this?”
She pauses. “He started working on the charity about five years ago.”
“And it’s…”
She gives me a small smile. “I think you know what it is.”
I stare at the big sign written in golden calligraphy hanging above us: The Honeybee Charitable Foundation. My gaze lingers for a few moments, waiting for the words to make sense. To our right, there’s a giant vinyl poster with Danny and two teammates on it, wearing shirts that feature the charity’s logo: the letters HCF forming a hive.
There are bees everywhere—golden bee tablecloths, arching indoor trees decorated with frosted glass hives and twinkle lights, and floor-to-ceiling curtains embroidered with miniscule bees. Little bees swirling around the hives on clear wire. A lounge area resembling a forest, with couches that look like logs and an electric campfire.
A jazz trio plays in the corner, and behind the stage is a massive drop-down screen displaying a slideshow of images. Right now, it’s showing a picture of Danny standing with what I assume are some foundation employees in a grassy area. Another picture rolls by, this one of a smiling crew in beekeeper gear with their arms around each other.
A tech crew manages various computer screens in the back corner of the room, not far from where we’re standing. With them, and looking devastatingly gorgeous in a classic black tux with golden bee cufflinks, is Danny. His dark, wavy hair looks lightly tamed with gel, and he’s cleaned up his facial hair. He seems to be doing a mic check for his speech. They finish up, and he shakes one of the crew’s hands before turning back to the party area.
When he spots me, his mouth parts, like he’s awestruck. Or maybe he’s wondering what’s wrong, because I’m gawking at him. His eyes twinkle, and he shrugs. He gives me a sheepish smile, almost conveyingthis is no big deal.
This is a very big deal.
My feet move before my mind gives the order. I walk faster and faster toward my Danny boy. I thought I would hug him, but all I want to do is touch his face. I slowly reach up and gently stroke his cheek with my thumb.
“Danny,” I whisper.
“You’re captivating, Gracie,” he praises quietly, marveling at me. “Look at you.”
“This is…”
“Do you like it?” His voice sounds unsure, which baffles me.
“Do I like it?” I breathe. “DoIlikeit?”
I bring my other hand up to his face, and now I’m cradling his head in the palms of my hands. I want to sayI love it. I want to saythis is the best thing you’ve ever done for me. I want to sayit’s perfect.
What comes out is an astonished, “Thank you.”
He gives me a beaming smile.
“Thankyoufor coming. I want to talk more, but I have to give my speech, okay? The guest seating chart is over there by the entrance, but I have you and Tessa at the table in the front. Grab an appetizer, relax, and I’ll come find you afterwards.”
I absentmindedly nod as he gives me a kiss on the cheek.
In a daze, I somehow find our table. Tessa sits there, smiling from ear to ear. There’s no doubt she saw the interaction between Danny and me.
“So, it turns out this isn’t a charity for sports.”
“Um, no,” she laughs.
“Thanks for the heads up,” I tease.
She playfully elbows me. “Hey! I wasn’t sure how much he told you, and I didn’t want to ruin a potential surprise.”
“I get it. It’s just…wow.”
Tessa starts to respond but is cut off by the MC announcing Danny to the stage. My eyes lock onto him, mesmerized by the pure stature and heart of this man. He walks to the center of the stage and pulls out a small piece of paper from his inner pocket. I’m suddenly anxious to hear the speech he’s been practicing over the past month, now understanding why he wouldn’t let me hear it.
