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“What do you think?”

“Well, it’s not my decision, it’s yours.”

“See, that’s where you’re wrong. It’s most definitelyourdecision.”

She smiled and pressed her lips against mine.

“I love it. But I just want to make sure you, well, we can afford it.”

“Oh, well when I said it’s ours, I didn’t mean financially. I don’t expect you to pay for it.”

“Oh. But what if I want to?”

“I’ll tell you what, El. I’m gonna buy this boat and put your name down on the title. You can make payments or not, it’ll still be yours.”

“Wait, no.”

“Yep.”

“Raf, no offense, but how can you afford that? I’m barely scraping by. And you’re out here buying a boat?”

“Come on, angel. You’re doing far better than scraping by.”

She shrugged one shoulder and smiled. Ellie was used to being modest, but she had reason to celebrate. Moonbeam Jewels won the Chamber of CommerceMoon HarborBusiness of the Yearaward in December. She’d created something that was all hers and her hard work was finally paying off, not just financially, but in her own sense of worth and how everyone else saw her. To the townies in Moon Harbor, she was no longer little orphan Ellie. She was an artist and small business owner. And she was killing it.

But I still had my own worth I needed to prove. Maybe because of my background, or maybe just because I’d worked hard as hell over the years. But I was proud of myself too. But I needed her to know that I was ready to provide for us.

“El, I’m in my thirties. I work full time, don’t have any kids, haven’t dated anyone in a decade until you, and don’t have any expensive hobbies. Until now, I guess,” I said, looking around at the boat again.

She just looked at me, dumbfounded.

“I’ve worked hard and put a lot in savings.”

“Well don’t you worry I might be a gold digger now? Apparently my boyfriend has money.”

“No, because I want to take care of you, El.” She started to huff, so I took her hand and continued, “I know you can take care of yourself. You built a business on your own and it’s thriving. But Iwantto take care of you. Build a life with you.” I brought her hand to my lips and kissed her knuckles. “But since you brought it up, I want to talk to you about the ‘boyfriend’ thing.”

Her face fell. “What?”

“The ‘boyfriend’ thing.” I reached into my back pocket and got down on my knee. “I think husband would sound better.”

Ellie squealed and tears formed in her eyes.

“Eleanor. You’ve been my whole life, ever since I met you. I’m sorry it took me so long to admit it. But now that I have, there’s no way I can go any longer without you by my side. Without you as my wife. Will you marry me, angel?”

I opened the box and showed her the ring I’d designed with the help of one of her jeweler friends. It was a diamond surrounded by aquamarine stones in the shape of a sunburst halo. I thought it was fitting for my angel and her ocean eyes.

“Raf, yes. Of course. Yes!” She sank down onto her knees and threw her arms around my neck.

I captured her lips in the sweetest kiss.

We floated for hours on the sea together—making love, making dreams, and planning our happily ever after.

The end.