My laptop, notepad, pen, and everything is spread out in front of me, but I can’t focus on my work. I know she’s going to say yes, but I’m still nervous.
I peek at Luna again.
She’s determined to work her last two weeks at The Old Town Diner, and so every night, after she’s supervised the employees at the shelter, she comes here to work her shift. It’s ridiculous, really. She’s about to be a Kingston and won’t have to work another day in her life, but she wants to.
She’s an hour into her shift, and as the time gets closer, the more nervous I get. I’ve talked to Frank and Peggy about what’s going to happen, just so they won’t be surprised when all of the Kingstons show up here. I didn’t want Frank to have a heart attack or anything when half the mafia shows up at his restaurant.
My brother Bennett and his friend Knox walk in first. They sit at the booth next to mine, so I go over and join them, sitting next to Knox. “How’s it going?”
My brother nods at me. “You ready for this?”
I nod, sneaking a look at Luna. She’s watching me, and when our eyes meet, her cheeks turn pink, reminding me of when I was inside her just a few hours ago. “Yes, I’m ready.”
I clear my throat to try and clear my mind. The last thing I want is to be sitting here with my brother and Knox with a hard-on. “What about you? How’d the thing with Audrey Sterling go?”
Knox blurts out a laugh, and I look at him.
He just shrugs, and I look at him and my brother. They’ve been best friends since we were all little. Knox is like a part of the family now. He has worked for the Kingston dynasty just as long.
Bennett shrugs. “I’m still looking into it. But don’t worry. I think you have enough on your plate right now.”
They’re lying about something, but I can’t seem to make myself care. “Fine. Lie to me, but you know I’ll figure it out eventually.”
Bennett’s jaw tightens, but he nods. “Understood.”
There’s a gasp in the restaurant, and without lifting my head, I know my father has arrived. This is the reaction any time he walks in to a place. I get to my feet and turn to greet my mom and dad. “Here, have a seat.”
I close up my laptop and pile my things on the corner of the table so they can sit down. My parents are not snobs, but I know they were surprised when I said I wanted to do this here.
As far as I can tell, these are the only people I know who mean anything to Luna, and I think she would want them to be part of it.
Luna comes over to the table. “Mr. and Mrs. Kingston, it’s so nice to see you. Can I get you anything?”
I grab her hand. “Luna.”
Her eyebrows skyrocket. She must hear the tone in my voice. “What?”
I smile even though I’m scared half out of my boots. It isn’t every day a man asks a woman to marry him. “Luna, I won’t pretend that this is going to be easy or simple. My family isn’t. My life isn’t either. But if you stand with me, you will never stand alone again.” I let out a breath. “This place matters to you. The people here matter to you. So they deserve to see me choose you.” I drop to one knee, and there is another collective gasp around us. Even Luna puts her hands to her mouth in surprise. I hold up the ring that my father brought me from our safe. It’s an heirloom that has been in our family for centuries. “Marry me, Luna. Be mine.”
Her eyes are round as saucers, but she remains silent. The whole place is. And my chest tightens. What if she says no? If she does, I’ll throw her over my shoulder and carry her out of here. I’ll find a way to make her say yes.
But just when panic starts to surge, she says it. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
I stand up, and she dives into my arms. I hold her to me as everyone in the place surrounds us, offering up their congratulations. I take Luna around the room, introducing her to Bennett and Knox. We had cousins in from New York, all the people that work for our family, and I take her to each of them, one by one, wanting them to know that she is a Kingston now and part of the family.
As I’m walking her across the room to my mother and father, she leans in to me. “Cole, you didn’t have to do this, I already said yes, but I’m glad you did. Maybe Frank will ease up a little bit now.”
I look at her, and she shrugs. “He’s worried about me, that’s all. He’s the closest thing I’ve got to a dad.”
I shrug, making a note to talk to Frank tonight.
“Mom. Dad. Thanks for coming.”
My mom hugs me and then Luna. “Are you kidding me? You think we would miss this? Luna, I have a day of pampering scheduled for us on Thursday. We’re going to get massages, hair, nails, the works.”
Luna smiles, but I know she’s worried about shirking her responsibilities. “I’ll make sure the shelter is covered,” I tell her.
She nods in relief. “Thanks.”
