Page 82 of Baby for My Enemy Billionaire

“One second. I need to finish this last little bit.”

I can see that she’s writing numbers out, which Jade needs a lot of concentration on. So I wait, putting my hand into my pocket and feeling the ring box. I’m tempted to get it out and just put it on the counter to see if she will notice and react. But I wait instead until Jade has finished the sums. Putting down her pen with a relieved sigh, she looks up and smiles at me.

“Hey.”

“Hey.”

“Sorry about that.” Jade comes around from behind the desk and kisses me. “Those numbers have been driving me mad for a while. I’m glad I’ve got them all done.”

“You can just give them to my accountant. She’s more than happy to do that for you.”

“No, I like to do it. It’s my business, and it makes me feel accomplished when I’ve finally done it.” Jade peers at me. “What do I owe you for visiting? You said you had something to attend to. I wasn’t expecting you.”

“I’ve got it all sorted. But I do need your input on something, Jade.”

“Of course. If I can. What do you need my input on?”

Here it comes. I get the ring box out of my pocket and hold it up.

“Well, I’ve got something here, and I wanted your opinion on how beautiful it looks.”

I open the box and see Jade’s eyes widen when she sees the engagement ring. It’s sparkling in the box with several tiny diamonds in the band. Simple but stunning.

“I know you mentioned before that an engagement ring doesn’t need to be ostentatious or anything. Just that it shows to the woman that the man loves you, or something along those lines.” I pause. “Well? Is it beautiful?”

“It’s gorgeous, Finn,” Jade breathes. “But what…?”

“Well, this is yours if you want it.” I smile as Jade’s mouth drops open. “Jade Summers, you’ve made the last year of my life even better than ever. Will you give me more years, this time as my wife? What I mean is, will you marry me?”

I’m starting to stumble over my words, and I need to stop before I fluff this up. Jade is still staring at the ring with her mouth open. Then she stares up at me.

“Are you serious? Do you mean it?”

“Of course I do. I wouldn’t want it any other way with us.” I can feel myself getting nervous. “I love you, Jade. And I want to marry you. Do you want to marry me?”

Katie scoffs.

“Of course she does, Dad!”

“Katie…”

I don’t get any further before Jade jumps on me, hugging me so tightly around the neck that I’m almost struggling to breathe. Then she releases me, her eyes sparkling as she beams.

“Yes!” Grabbing my head, she kisses me. “I will marry you.”

“Thank God for that!” Sagging in relief, I hug her close, kissing her head. “I thought you were going to turn me down.”

“Not a chance!” Jade laughs. She cups my jaw in her hand. “Although you might have done it a little better. Not that I’m complaining, of course.”

“I’m not planning on doing that again, Jade.”

“Good. Because I don’t want you asking anyone else to marry you.” Giggling, Jade kisses him. “I love you.”

Aware that Katie is squealing in delight and Maddison has entered the bookstore and is watching us with a pleased smile, I hug Jade before sliding the ring onto her finger. It fits her perfectly, almost like it’s always been there.

Things are falling into place, and with Jade smiling at me as she cuddles into my side, it’s worth the frustration of our first meeting. Who knew that a chance encounter on the slopes would end up with a marriage proposal?

Not that I’m complaining. I’m very content with everything now, especially with this woman in my arms.

She is definitely going to keep me on my toes.