Tara joined their group, offered a sweet smile. “Hi everyone.” She regarded Tank. “Dinner is ready to be served.”
Tank stood on a chair and whistled. “Family, friends, it’s time for take our seats. There are name cards on all the tables.”
Grey bulled his way over, clearing a path. Behind him came Caroline and Elsa, holding hands.
Tank kissed Elsa’s cheeks. “Ciao, nonna.”
Hello, grandmother.
“Ciao, Theodore. Non sei venuto a trovarmi.”
Hello, Theodore. You didn’t come visit me.
“Mi dispiace. Avevo un lavoro da fare.”
I’m sorry. I had a job to do.
“Greystone mi ha detto che hai fatto bene,” Elsa said. “I’m proud of you.”
Greystone told me you did well.
“Grazie,” he said. “You remember Sydney.”
Elsa smiled sweetly. “Caroline told me you and Teddy work well together.”
Sydney peered up at Tank. “Very well.”
She waited to see if he’d tell his grandmother about their engagement, but he stayed quiet.
“Where’s our table?” Grey asked.
“The long one by the door,” Tank replied. “I put Elsa in the middle along with Kathrine and Mark, Evelyn and Sean. Luciano, Simone, and the four of us.”
Everyone made their way to their assigned tables. Once seated, the servers filled water goblets, then returned with bottles of Santini red and white wines.
As the wine glasses were being filled, Tank stood.
“Welcome to the Santini holiday gathering,” Tank said. “This year, we’d like to welcome Greystone’s mom and dad—Evelyn and Sean Baker—along with Sydney and Caroline’s parents—Kathrine and Mark Austin.” He peered down at Sydney. “Sydney Austin, you make my life better and I know spending a lifetime together is the best decision we could ever make.”
The chatter ceased, all eyes on Tank.
“I proposed to Sydney,” Tank continued, “she said yes, but it didn’t feel official.” He regarded her. “I know you said that a traditional engagement ring wouldn’t work with your… um… career, but Caroline had a drawing from when you were kids?—”
“Wow,” Sydney whispered.
He fished a ring box from his pocket. “It’s a placeholder, so if you don’t like it, no worries.”
He dropped to one knee, opened the box. Inside was a beautiful, dazzling eternity band of alternating black and white diamonds set in platinum.
She grinned at him, then planted one on him. “You are uh-mazing. I love you for doing this.”
“Sydney Annalise Austin, will you marry me?”
She grinned down at him. “Yassssss, absolutely!”
He slid the ring on her finger. As he rose, he pulled her into his arms, and kissed her while the group applauded.
When the kiss ended, she murmured, “This is an awesome surprise. Love you so much.”
