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“Paris when we need it. Here when we don’t. Your work. My work. Fighting about whether the cat should be allowed on the bed.”

“She is allowed on the bed.”

“She absolutely is not.”

“She was there this morning.”

“Against my wishes.”

Vivienne laughed.

Leo’s face softened.

“That,” Leo said. “I want that.”

Vivienne touched her face.

“You have it.”

“I want it forever.”

Silence.

Not empty silence.

Full.

Heavy with everything that had brought them here.

Vivienne had once believed promises were dangerous because they created something that could be broken.

Leo had taught her something else.

Some promises created something worth keeping.

Leo looked straight into her eyes.

“Marry me.”

Vivienne stopped breathing.

Leo’s mouth twitched.

“That was supposed to be a question.”

“You phrased it rather like an order.”

“Occupational hazard.”

Vivienne stared at her.

Leo’s confidence wavered by one infinitesimal degree.

It delighted Vivienne.

“Are you nervous?”

“No.”