He holds my gaze as he finally crosses the distance between us.
My body is trembling. I don’t understand what’s happening.
When he reaches me, he carefully takes the kitten and slips the ring from its collar.
“Sandro?” I whisper. It’s both painful and a relief that he’s standing in front of me. “What’s going on?”
His eyes are crackling bright blue flames in the fluorescent light. He reaches out and places his palm against my cheek, and I automatically lean into its warmth, its comfort. He’s searching my face and whatever he sees has him nodding.
Then he slowly lowers himself to one knee, places the kitten on the floor between us, and takes my hand.
I hear a gasp from Geraldine and a chuckle from Bill, but the sounds are far away. Because I feel like I’m untethered from reality and floating above my body.
Am I dreaming? Am I having a psychotic break?
“Lennon.” Sandro squeezes my hand. His voice is husky, my name said with so much reverence that I have no choice but to accept this is happening. “From the time we were thirteen, you’ve had my heart, Angel. There has never been, and will never be, another woman for me but you. You are my light in the darkness, my salvation, my joy and my soul mate. I need you like I need air to breathe. I promise you I will love you and protect you until my dying breath.” He slides the ring on my finger. “Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
I blink and the tears spill down my cheeks. “I don’t understand,” I whisper. “What about your... family? Giada?”
A ghost of a smile touches his lips, but his eyes still glitter with determination. “I’ll explain it all to you, but for now just know that’s all over. I’m yours if you’ll have me.”
I choke out a sob and fall to my knees. “Oh, Sandro.” I throw my arms around him and a strangled laugh escapes me. “I love you, too.”
He holds me tight, and I feel him blow out a long breath. “Is this a yes?”
I laugh then and pull back, cupping his face. “Yes! A thousand times yes!”
He gives me the most devastatingly handsome, dimpled smile before he pulls me to him and kisses me like a man starving.
I fall into him, letting everything go—my fear, my doubt, my anger. Because this, being in his arms, feeling his desperation and love for me, this is everything.
Clapping brings us out of our little bubble.
Geraldine and Bill, along with the table behind them and Rodrigo, are cheering and whistling.
My face is on fire as I scoop the kitten back up, and Sandro helps me to my feet.
Bill stands up and shakes his hand. “Congratulations, Mr. LaRocca. I hope you two will be as happy as Gerry and I have been for fifty-two years.”
“I will do everything in my power to make that happen, sir,” Sandro says.
I’m wondering how Bill knows who Sandro is when Sandro turns to Rodrigo. “You can finish closing up.” It’s not a request.
Rodrigo gives him a small nod and disappears back to the kitchen.
Sandro smiles as he looks at the small ball of fur curled up in the crook of my arm. “Get your stuff. The three of us, we’re going home.”
My stomach flips like I just dropped over the edge of a rollercoaster.
Home. Together.
If I’m dreaming, I don’t ever want to wake up.
An amused chuckle rumbles in Big Tony’s chest as we climb in the car. “So, you said yes, huh?”
I shrug playfully. “He can be pretty persuasive.”
“That’s one way to put it.” With a wink, he drives us back to Sandro’s place.
