“Me, too.” Stepping back, he checked her out. “You look amazing.”
She’d worn a halter maxi dress with black stilettos.
That elicited a smile. “You clean up pretty good yourself, Justice.”
He’d worn a dress shirt and black pants, and pulled his hair into a half-up top knot.
“Your half-up man-bun is so sexy,” she murmured.
He shot her a smile. “I did it for you.”
After seating her, he sat at the head of the table and clasped her hand. “Tell me about your day.”
With a grin, she said, “You sound so domestic.”
The waiter knocked on the glass door, then entered. “Hello, ma’am. I’m Henry, and I’ll be serving you and Mr. Truman this evening.” He filled Emerson’s water goblet and topped off Stryker’s. “May I open the champagne?”
“Go for it,” Stryker said, before turning to Emerson. “The chef is preparing a sampler dinner. Four appetizers and four main courses to choose from.”
“That’s a lot of food.”
Henry popped the cork, poured their bubbly, and left.
“It’s samples, but enough to share if we both like the same thing,” he said.
She draped her small hand over his large one. “We do like the same things and I love sharing with you.”
She told him about her meeting with Captain Perry and he couldn’t contain his smile when she told him she’d accepted the position at ALPHA. “There is one thing that disappoints me about the job, though.”
“What’s that, babe?”
“I won’t be able to work with you.”
Stryker grinned. “I could be convinced.”
“I wouldlovethat.”
“I’d have to work out the details. I’d be splitting my time—”
“Like Dakota does.”
“My woman is in the know.”
“Will you consider it?”
He nodded, then raised his champagne flute. “Here’s to a lifetime of kickin’ butt and—as you put it—saving the world from bad guys.”
She tapped his glass and sipped. “Delicious. Thank you for the roses. They’re beautiful and I loved the note.” She leaned over to kiss him, but he didn’t meet her halfway. “Hello? Kissing.”
It was now or never. He kissed her, pulled out the ring box, and got down on one knee. Her surprised expression was both priceless and adorable. “This—us—is forever. No other option. Marry me, Emerson.”
He opened the box. She glanced at it, then back into his eyes. She placed her soft hands on his face and kissed him. “Yes, I will marry you.” With a smile she added, “No other option.”
After sliding the engagement ring onto her finger, he kissed her before pulling her out of the chair and wrapping her in his arms. They shared a loving smile.
“I’m happy you forgave me or this little love affair would never have happened,” she said.
“You are the best part of my life and I want to spend the rest of my life showing you that.” He kissed her forehead.
