Beautiful.
“I’m here to help.”Tomorrow is the big day and she has the entire committee here, all hands working.She didn’t ask for my help, but I’m here to offer my support.
“That’s sweet of you.”She grabs a clipboard with an endless list and her finger slides down the page.
With the lead-up to the gala, we haven’t had a lot of time alone.She falls into bed at night, exhausted, and in the morning she’s usually up with me, but dashes out to work.
I glance around the large conference room and the sounds of voices filter in, reminding me we’re not alone.I want her alone.“Do you have a few minutes to talk?”
She looks up from the clipboard, nibbling on her bottom lip, deep in thought.“Um, not really.”Her eyes slide down the long list of tasks and then back to me.“I could use the help.”
“It won’t take long.”I slip my hand into my pocket, feeling the cool metal against my fingers.“Let’s go out back.”
“Paige.”Nan strolls into the room, carrying a large roll of paper.“Where did you want the silent auction?”
I’m immediately forgotten, as she steps from me and helps my grandmother lay the long sheet of paper flat on the desk.It’s the floorplan of the parking lot, which within hours will be transformed into Nuit Étoilée.
“Over here.”She points to one corner of the diagram.“Why?”
“That’s what I thought.”My grandmother wrinkles her brow.“It’s all right.That’s where they are setting up.”
My fingers play with the small item in my pocket and impatience blooms, sharp and coiling around my insides.Much like I get in meetings when things aren’t going my way, I take the bull by the horns.I had envisioned doing this alone, just the two of us, but I’m not waiting anymore.The way things look right now, this day will get away from us and tomorrow will be a write-off with the gala.Now is the only time to do this.
“Marry me.”It isn’t a question and I now have their attention.I hold out the engagement ring and both women gasp.
“What?”Paige lets go of one end of the floorplan, sending the paper curling into a cylinder and rolling right off the table.
Nan clasps her hands together, beaming, and I take hold of Paige’s shaking hand, slowly slipping the ring onto her finger.She’s speechless, her deep-brown eyes questioning.
Technically, I should wait for her to say yes, but I’m used to getting what I want.And Paige just needs a little time to let it all sink in.She’ll come to the same conclusion I have.We belong together.
I’ve been thinking about proposing to her for days.No, more like weeks, and somewhere, somehow, our deal has become nonexistent.I still want my trust fund but what we have outshines our arrangement.
“Paige, everyone is here.”Morgan bursts into the quiet office.“Oh, sorry, did I interrupt something?”
“Darling.”Nan holds her hand out to my cousin, pulling her near and then she gasps, eyes now on the sparkling diamond on Paige’s ring finger.
Paige remains stunned and silent.
I had wanted just the two of us to share in this moment, but this feels right to have Nan and Morgan here.Paige needs to see I’m serious about spending the rest of my life with her and what better way to get that across than in front of those I love the dearest.
“Oh my God!Congratulations.”Morgan pulls Paige into a tight embrace.
Paige releases a nervous chuckle, but she’s nodding her head and water pools in her eyes.She gazes up at me, countless questions swimming in her features.
28
Paige
“Marry me.”Zach has my hand firmly in his grasp and the other slides into his pant pocket, producing a beautiful diamond ring.
Suddenly my throat is dry and my heart slams against my rib cage, beating too fast.This can’t be happening.Zach isn’t proposing to me.There’s simply no explanation for it.Nan moves into my line of sight, her eyes glittering with delight, flicking from me to Zach and back.I’m reeling.
Warm.Sweating.Dizzy.
Then Morgan rushes in and we’re hugging.Zach smiles like an arrogant bastard, and Nan is glowing.I’m nauseous, choking on the excitement and joy coming at me from every direction.And all over a faux engagement.
It can’t be real.Why did he propose?We hadn’t talked about this.I would have never agreed to a fake marriage.That had to be why he did it like this.Sprung it on me with an audience.I’d have no choice but to go along with him, unless I wanted a scene.There’s no way Morgan or Nan would have accepted anything but a ‘yes’.
