“I have to ask you something,” Landon says, releasing me from our kiss. He steps back and somehow the crowd parts like the Red Sea. “I really would have done this in Paris had you let me.”
As if on cue, the band has stopped playing and I see that Demi and Jack, and Mercy and Jerry are responsible for the space we’ve been given. The four of them are standing there like proud parents filled with excitement for their little girl.
In a moment Landon is down on one knee, holding a black, velvet ring box. My heart is pounding and more than the feelings of love I have for Landon, right now I’m feeling so incredibly grateful. This dream had died and now it’s been brought back to life. There isn’t a long road of recovery and forgiveness ahead of me. Landon understands why I did what I did and he kept his promise to never leave me alone. I want to shout out my answer right now, but I have to give Landon his moment to say what he needs to say.
“Jenna…there is no one else I want to spend the rest of my days with. Please, please, please…marry me.” Landon opens the ring box and I’m too shocked to answer. There’s no ring. Where the ring should be gently nestled between the satin is a coin. Landon stands and comes closer to me, seeing the shock and confusion on my face.
“I don’t understand,” I stutter.
“I had Jace make two copies. This is the original, and last, 1913 V Nickel,” he says.
“So that means…”
“Both Ambassador McKay and your father have the copies. When I went to get my tux from the concierge, I had them put this one in the hotel safe,” he explains.
“Why didn’t you just tell me? We could have still given them the fakes and then used the real coin to bargain with Dellinger,” I offer.
“I tried to tell you that night, but you wouldn’t listen to me. You just shut down…and then you left,” he says. It’s still painful to think about. “You said that after what he did to you and your family, you never wanted him to have it. I agreed with you and took measures to protect it. And…from what Oz tells me, you didn’t need that coin as a bargaining chip with Dellinger. He told me about the insurance information and said you played Dellinger like a fiddle…said he was sweating bullets,” Landon smiles. “I’m proud of you, Jenna.”
“You talked to Oz, too?”
“After Spring called I was determined to do everything I could to make this moment happen.” Landon brushes my cheek with his thumb and that warm feeling that I’ve missed comes rushing through me again.
“I can’t believe you arranged all this for me. I really can’t believe what you did with the coin.” I can’t stop smiling.
“I love you, and I was just trying to protect something that was important to you. If you needed the coin to deal with Dellinger, of course I would have given it to you earlier. But, you kicked ass without it and now…now you can use it for whatever you want. You can keep it for posterity…sell it and put the money away as a guaranteed nest egg…buy your dream house.” Landon sighs and smiles. “So…I look kind of dumb standing here holding a ring box with what everyone thinks is just a nickel. If you wait any longer, this is going to end up online as the worst proposal ever.” he smirks.
I look at Landon looking at me and I feel warm. It’s the first time I think I’ve really realized that I can do and say whatever I want. I can let people in and share my life with them. Before Landon crashed into my life I had come to terms with the fact that, no matter how close I got to anyone, the closest they would ever get to me would be arm’s length. All that has changed now. Something inside me has opened like a book.
I look at Landon through blurry, tear filled eyes and somehow all I can see is that sexy smirk of his. Yeah…I could look at that smirk every day for the rest of my life.
“Jenna…marry me,” he whispers.
“Yes.”
“Yes?”
“Yes.”
La Fin
Acknowledgements
A huge thank you to my friends and family for their continued support, encouragement, and excitement for this unexpected and wonderful journey I am on. I am constantly humbled and honored by you.
Thank you to my medical professional friends and family (AJ, Mallory, MaryKay, and Will). You gave me great insight to your world and I hope that I was able to reflect even just a little bit here in Jenna’s world.
Thanks, again, to LB! Your input continues to be more valuable than you may ever know. I’m grateful for how you challenged me in the beginning of this project to keep a clear focus. You’re a true friend.
Finally, to the team of people who have helped make this book what it is today: my editor, Lisa, and my cover designer, Kari. You make me look good!
Also by AnnaLisa Grant
The Lake Trilogy: The Lake, Troubled Waters, Safe Harbor
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.
For more information, visit:
AnnaLisaGrant.com
Facebook.com/AuthorAnnalisaGrant
Cover art by Cover to Cover Designs
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