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“I forget sometimes,” I tease.

“I don't know how. It was forever ago.”

“Forever,” I repeat thoughtfully. Chuckling, I reveal the dozen white roses I'd hidden behind my back. Her eyes light up exactly how I adore. I resist the urge to kiss her puckered, soft lips. “Happy anniversary.”

“What is all this?” she whispers.

“Six months ago you began working for me,” I say, stepping closer. I can smell her now—a sweetness that stands out from all of the sugar in the kitchen. “That's when you entered my world and changed everything.”

Alice looks at the roses, then the sugar bag in her arms; she hugs it. “I don't understand, you came here to celebrate the first time we met?” Her cheeks turn red. “That memory is weird for me. I couldn't stand you back then, Thomas. You were so...”

“I know,” I cut her off. “I seemed cruel. Maybe I was.” Taking a deep breath, I clutch the flowers, then fall to one knee. Alice's jaw drops as she realizes what I'm about to do. “We should remember that time even if it was ugly. Actually, especially because it was ugly. I want to change the memory of that day... to the joy of this moment. I want to look back and celebrate it, Alice.” The words are easy to say because I mean them.

I never want to be like my father.

I slip the small box out of my pocket.

“Thomas,” she gasps.

My heart thuds faster when I open the box, revealing the dark velvet inside, the massive diamond glittering on the white gold band. “Will you marry me?”

She drops the bag. It explodes on the floor, scattering sugar like snow all over us both. I shield my face, and when I look up, Alice has her fingers over her mouth, tears running down her cheeks. “Yes!” she says, laughing, wiping at her eyes. “Of course I'll marry you!”

Jumping up, I kiss her lips, tasting sugar. Alice is sweeter. She hugs me close, the white roses rustling in my other hand. “I love you, Alice. I love you so, so much.”

“I love you too,” she sniffles. Her hand shakes as I take it in mine, slipping the ring on. The diamond is bright but it pales next to her beauty, no matter how it sparkles.

This woman... this amazing, wild, hot-blooded angel...

She's mine.

Now and forever.