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I help her out, my hand on the small of her back. “Only the best for you, princess.”
I lead her to the beach, my heart pounding in my chest.
The sun is setting, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. I’ve planned this moment for days, but now that it’s here, I’m suddenly nervous.
There’s a table underneath a gazebo, and dressed for an opulent dinner.
“West, this is breathtaking,” Amelia says, her eyes wide as she takes in the scene.
I take a deep breath, steeling myself. “Not as breathtaking as you.”
She turns to me, a soft smile on her face. “What’s all this about?”
I take her hands in mine, my thumbs brushing over her knuckles. “Amelia—“
Her brow furrows as I drop to one knee.
As the sand shifts beneath me, Amelia’s eyes widen, her hand flying to her mouth.
“I can’t let you go the rest of your life without this moment,” I begin, my voice thick with emotion. “The moment I tell you, I love seeing your face every morning when I give you coffee. The way you smile at me gets me every day, and I knew I was falling in love with you well before our little arrangement.”
She takes a deep breath, and I continue, “And the day you straddled me when my father came into the office.” I take a breath. “I desperately hoped you’d kiss me.”
She smiles as her hand covers her heart.
I continue, “But nothing made my heart sing more than you protecting me with your lie about the sex club. I knew then I was never letting you go.”
Tears are welling up in Amelia’s eyes now, but she doesn’t look away.
“I’m glad you agreed to my crazy plan. But what I really want is for you to make my life complete and let me look after you forever. I want you as my wife. I want to be your husband. I love you, Amelia. Will you marry me for real?”
She nods, tears spilling down her cheeks as she joins me on her knees on the beach. She whispers against my lips, “Yes.”
I leap to my feet, scooping her up in my arms and twirling her around. Her laughter mingles with the sound of crashing waves. I’ve never heard anything more beautiful in my life.
When I set her down, she’s beaming. I reach into my pocket.
“I already have a ring,” she says, staring at the box, holding up her hand.
“It’s beautiful but plain. It’s also tainted. It’s been thrown at me and left with a goodbye note. This one is your engagement ring. Anyway, this is more you.” I open the box to reveal a beautiful emerald cut 10-carat pink diamond. It’s sitting atop a platinum band covered in twinkling pink diamonds.
Amelia gasps, her eyes wide. “West, it’s...it’s incredible.”
I slip the ring onto her finger, my heart soaring, just as the heavens open. “Just like you, Princess.”
The rain never relented. So, we dined in a restaurant my mother suggested.
Inside it is a vision of elegance, all crystal chandeliers and white tablecloths.
We order champagne, toasting to our real engagement.
Amelia looks stunning in her cream dress, drawing admiring glances from other diners.
“You’re beautiful, wife,” I murmur.
“Not yet.” She blushes, a soft smile playing on her lips. “And you clean up pretty well yourself, Mr. Davenport.”
“It feels good to be away from the penthouse.”