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“I wanted to.” I cup her face in my hands and delve into her eyes. “You should know how important you are to me. I’ll always do everything I can to make you feel special. And if your exes have been too stupid to do that, I’m here to prove I’m smarter, more determined, and ready to make you happy.”

Her eyes tear up as she blinks at me. “What are you saying, Evan?”

I press a kiss to her lips and have to tear myself away before I get swept up in Nia again. “I’m saying you’re the best thing that’s happened to me in years. Maybe I should regret shoving my way into your dressing room and your life, but I don’t want to be without you—now or ever. I’m hoping like hell you feel the same.”

A silvery teardrop falls past her lashes and onto her dusky, satiny cheek. As I brush it away with my thumb, I feel my hand shake. The naked need on her face stuns me. For the first time, I’m convinced she feels something for me…

“Nia? You okay, honey?”

“I gave in to the pull between us that night because I couldn’t help myself. But I’ve been wondering ever since if it was just sex and convenience for you, whether you saw me as an easy way to curb your grief and loneliness. And I…”

When more tears come, I caress her face and thumb her lower lip. “No. None of that.”

I hate like hell that I ever made her feel insecure. Plenty of her exes have given her too many reasons to guard her heart. Even if she never loved them, their disregard for her feelings must have hurt. Until Maxon, Griff, and Noah verbally slapped me with some reality, I don’t think I came across as any less selfish or focused on my own needs.

“Then I don’t understand,” she murmurs.

“I shouldn’t be surprised. Communication in the office only works between us because you read my mind more often than not. Maybe I expected you to somehow understand how I saw our future together. But what we have isn’t a meeting or a memo. I have to show you what I have in mind, so that’s what I’m trying to do. My goal is for you to be wearing the brightest, happiest smile of your life when you say ‘I do.’”

She sniffles as another tear falls. “When did you get romantic?”

“When I realized I was being an ass.” I brush her tears away with my fingertips, then kiss their wet paths before I lead her toward the backyard again. “I’m sorry.”

“Apology accepted.” We emerge from the shady side yard and into the bright sun bathing the deck. She glances around the huge private space with a gasp, the sound nearly swallowed by gentle winds, swaying palms, and distant waves. Then she fixes her gaze on the tropical pool mere steps away. “Wow, if this is how you’re going to say you’re sorry, this place is worth a little suffering.”

Her teasing makes me laugh—and gives me hope. “You keep me guessing. I like that, you know.”

“Really?” She gives her lip a pensive nibble. “I’ve always had the feeling Becca was more predictable.”

“She was.”

“And you liked that about her. I’ve been thinking that’s what you want.”

How did I not know—or at least guess—she felt this way? Probably because I knew it was incorrect and, therefore, groundless. But Nia had no way of knowing. It’s not her job to guess; it’s my job to tell her. I can’t thank Maxon, Griff, and Noah enough for that gem of wisdom.

“You know, when I decided to start looking for a wife, I probably did want that because I wanted order to the chaos in my life. But as time has gone on…” I shake my head. “No, as I spent more time with you, I realized I didn’t need what I had before. The day I told you to place the wife-wanted ad, you asked if I that was how I intended to replace Becca. I told you no one could. It’s true, and I can’t bring her back. But I can honestly say after being with you that I don’t need any semblance of my old life anymore. I need to move on and embrace the future. And I can’t see doing that with anyone but you.”

To my surprise—and delight—Nia comes closer. “If you don’t stop, you’re going to make me all mushy and melty.”

I laugh. “I want you mushy and melty.”

“Not until after the food. You promised me lunch.”

Though I’m not excited about letting her go, I release her and lead her to the table. There’s a feast, a bottle of champagne, and two flutes waiting for us.

We eat chicken, fruit, salad, and coconut pudding. Every bite is delicious, and the champagne takes the edge off my nerves. Instrumental mood music plays softly in the background as we talk about how incredible the helicopter tour was and how much the thought of living on this island already excites us. Our future stretches out in front of me. I can almost reach it. I’m getting closer… If I can just keep saying and doing the right things, maybe today will end exactly the way I planned it.

“Want to swim?” I ask as we stand and stretch, lazy from the food, booze, and sun.

“I didn’t bring a suit.”

“So?” I give her a sly smile.

Nia searches the deserted patio, her dark eyes dancing. “Are you proposing we skinny-dip?”

“I’m proposing marriage. But I’m suggesting skinny-dipping for now. Interested?”

“In broad daylight? At a stranger’s house?”