They both laughed, and Georgia playfully poked my arm. “We know, Xavier. Don’t forget who helped you research that speech you’re about to give.”
I giggled, then handed the flowers off to Dominick. There was already a small crowd in Sweet Sensations, which seemed like a nice sign. I didn’t entirely plan to open the museum to boost the shop, but some of Dominick’s business sense must have worn off on me anyway. And with a boyfriend who pulled in the serious money, the museum felt like an actual investment in my community. I’d be able to hire people, pull in some foot traffic, and celebrate the history that men like my father had created, too.
I turned to the museum building. Renovations would begin the next week, but for now, just seeing the Zing Machine back in the front window made me smile.
“What do you say?” Georgia asked. “Should we stop by the café? We’ve got a little time to kill before set-up begins.”
I turned to Alice’s café and placed my hand on my stomach, frowning. “I think I’ll be too nervous to eat anything,” I said. “Although I could use a distraction.”
When I turned back, Georgia and Dominick were exchanging a look I didn’t catch. Georgia ran her hands through her hair quickly. “I should check something in the store,” she said. “Pardon me.”
I turned to Dominick, raising an eyebrow. “What was that about?”
He began to walk me down the street and toward the museum. “Oh, you know Georgia…”
“I guess so,” I said, still confused. When we reached the storefront, I peered through the large windows, gazing again at the machine.
“Wait a second,” I said. “Is the Zing Machine plugged in?”
Dominick peered forward. “It looks like it is,” he said. “That’s odd.”
I frowned. If some of the crew were playing around with the machine without knowing how it worked, they could damage its mechanics or even hurt themselves. I hurried over and unlocked the door, then pushed inside with Dominick following.
“I’ll have to leave a note,” I said, heading toward the outlet. “Wouldn’t want the project to start off with an accident.”
Then I heard the familiar noise. The grind, whirr, and hum of the Zing Machine in action.
I turned, startled by the sound, as well as the memories that came flooding back. It was like, for just one moment, I felt the magical joy I used to feel as a child. Like something sweet had appeared out of nowhere.
Dominick was leaning against the machine, a big grin on his face. “Whoops,” he said casually. “Must have hit the switch.”
I hurried over, surprised he would do such a thing. “I can get it,” I said. “Just let me…”
Which was when I saw what was sliding down the conveyor belt. A small box, wrapped in a soft, velvety fabric.
Small enough to fit comfortably in the palm of my hand.
My heart leapt into my throat. The ring box inched down the conveyor, then tumbled into a large metal bowl. It rolled around for a moment, and my breath stilled.
“Dominick,” I said softly.
He dropped to his knee, then took the box from the bowl. Flipping it open, he presented the ring to me.
It was delicate, but also masculine. A blue stone adorned a simple silver band, and small pink diamonds dotted the side.
Absolute perfection.
“Yes!” I exclaimed before he could even ask the question. I dropped to my knees and threw my arms around his shoulders. “Yes! Yes! Yes!”
Dominick laughed and pulled me to the ground. We rolled together, kissing, while I clutched the ring in my hand.
“I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Xavier. Without you, nothing else matters.”
My heart sang, and tears began to roll down my cheeks. “I’m so excited to spend my life with you, Dominick. It’s a dream come true.”
And it was a dream come true. Not the dream I had imagined, exactly. Some of the pieces were there, from the flowers that grew across from the shop to the Zing Machine, back in its rightful spot. But many of them had changed, too.
Like the man I’d always thought of as just a persistent sexual fantasy, who proved himself to be much more serious than that.
