“Ohmygod,” shewhispered.
In mid-sentence, the flight attendant stopped instructing passengers on safety precautions. “Ladies and gentleman, we have aproposal.”
The cabin grew quiet. Taylor’s heart pounded a frenzied rhythm, the excitement threatening to explode. “Yes, I will. Absolutely,yes!”
Passengers seated nearby clapped. He kissed her again before slipping the diamond on her finger. “I will cherish you for the rest of my life,” hewhispered.
With a triumphant smile, he rose and gave the thumbs-up sign. “She said ‘Yes’!”
The cabin erupted in applause as he took his seat and the flight attendant resumed her preflightinstructions.
He cupped her face, pulled her close, and kissed her again. “I love you so much. Will you be my foreverValentine?”
“I love you, too,” she said, tears spilling from her. “You’ve made me so happy.” She pressed her hand to her chest and sucked in a jaggedbreath.
“Me,too.”
As the plane taxied toward the runway, she admired her diamond. “This isgorgeous.”
“That ring is a placeholder, honey. We’re going ringshopping.”
She loved how the double halo of sparkling, round diamonds complemented the brilliance of the large solitaire. “Did you pick thisout?”
“Yes, but it’s from my hotel,Taylor.”
“Even better,” she said, weaving her fingers through his. “I lovethisring thatyoupicked out atyourhotel. It’sperfect.”
He leaned close. “Do you know how happy I am that you said ‘Yes’?”
“Yeah, I think I do,” she said and kissed him. “So, about that job…are you offering me the position of Event Director at LovingMalibu?”
“Hell, no, that’s not nearly big enough for someone with your skills, intelligence, and determination. I’m thinking more like Vice President of Events for Loving Resorts,worldwide.”
“What? You can’t be serious?” she asked as the plane sped down the runway and lifted into thesky.
“Of course I am. I need your loving touch at all my properties, so I’m creating this position just for you. Plus, I have plans for a fifth in Marco Island that we can developtogetherfrom the groundup.”
“I would love that.” Her gleeful expression faltered and she broke eyecontact.
“What’swrong?”
“I’m going to miss everyone atMitus.”
“Take some time to decide. It’s a lot todigest.”
Bold choices.“No time needed. I’m following my heart. And my heart is with you. And… I’ve gotta admit, this is a great career move forme.”
He chuffed out a laugh. “For usboth.”
The flight attendant appeared with two mini champagne bottles and two flutes perched on a tray. “On behalf of the captain and flight crew, congratulations on yourengagement.”
“Thank you,” Taylor said. “That’s so nice of you, but we don’t drink. Do you have sparklingwater?”
“Be right back with that.” The flight attendant retreated to the front of thecabin.
“You don’t have to stop drinking because of me,” hesaid.
“I might have a glass of wine on occasion, but I want to support you in yoursobriety.”
