by Ravenna Tate
The clues Atticus had left her were even easier this time. They were having an early dinner, and then she was to join him in the fake park on the top floor of his apartment. She teased him all through their meal, trying everything she could think of, including flashing her boobs, to get him to tell her what the surprise was, but he wouldn’t do it.
She had dressed up for dinner, just in case whatever he had planned later called for it, and once they finished eating, he asked her to give him ten minutes before she came up to the park.
Emma gasped when she entered the park. It was lit up with multi-colored lights, and he had soft, slow dance music playing from the speakers in the wall. The scent that filled the room was lavender and vanilla combined—her favorite. He’d changed into a tux, so she was glad she’d worn a dress and heels.
“What’s the occasion?” she asked.
He held out his arms. “Can’t I dance with the woman I love simply because I want to?”
She took his hands, and he twirled her around the space in a perfect waltz. She was not the least bit surprised. “Of course you can. This is wonderful. Thank you, Atticus.”
“I thought it would be fun to come up here again, since this is where we had our first official date.”
“Yes, it is. What a perfect idea.”
After they’d danced a couple of songs, Atticus led her to the picnic table and then poured them each a glass of wine. He held his up. “To us, and to whatever the future brings, as long as we’re together in it.”
“I’ll drink to that.” He drained his, and it was then she noticed his hands trembling slightly. “Is everything okay?”
He put his glass on the table. “It will be. I think. In a moment or two, anyway.”
“Did something else happen with the hackers or your plans?”
“No. They’ve been set in motion. With any luck, we won’t have to wait too long, but you know how Viggo and Blaine are. Everything has to be perfect so nothing is left to chance.”
“Then why do you look like you’re about to jump out of your skin?”
He took her glass, placed it next to his, and then grasped her hands. “Emma, I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
“I love you and I want you with me always. I don’t know what’s going to happen with the hackers and the others who were involved. I don’t know what’s going to happen with Dave or Bonnie. I don’t know if one day Leland will show up, but if he does, I’ll take care of it for you.”
“No one knows the future, Atticus. All we can do is live in the moment.”
The tender look he gave her took her breath away. He kissed the back of her hands. “Exactly. Yes. You’re absolutely right. I know we’ve never talked about this, but … what I mean is, I know you were hurt. Badly. And I can understand if you’re reluctant…”
He released her hands and reached behind the ice bucket holding the wine bottle to remove a small box she hadn’t noticed before. Then he looked at her for long moments while her heart pounded. If that contained what she thought it did, she had not been expecting it at all.
Atticus moved off the seat and knelt down. Emma bit her lip and tried not to cry. He looked so unsure it nearly killed her. He opened the box, and she gasped again at the ring inside. It was a chocolate diamond surrounded by what she believed were dark jasper stones. It was absolutely gorgeous, and she’d never seen anything so exquisite.
“Addison’s teams found it. As soon as he sent me the picture, I knew it had to be yours. It reminds me of your hair and your dark, sexy eyes.”
“It’s incredible,” she whispered.
“Will you marry me, Emma? I know I can make you happy. I know it. I’ll die trying. Whatever happens with everything that’s coming, I can’t face it unless I know I’ll be with you forever. I love you so much.”
“Oh, Atticus. I love you, too. I don’t want to face the future without you, either. Yes. Yes, I will marry you. Of course I will.”
The smile on his face was so filled with relief and love that Emma couldn’t stop the tears. He slipped the ring on her finger, and of course it fit. She’d have expected nothing less. Then he stood, and she did, too. He took her hands again and danced with her, humming the tunes this time, and Emma was sure she’d die of happiness.
She had no clue what the future would hold, but now it didn’t matter because she’d weather it with the man she loved. He was everything she’d ever dreamed of, and she vowed to spend the rest of her life making sure he knew how very, very much she loved him.
The End
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Other Books by Ravenna Tate:
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