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“Rex, I don’t know what it cost you, but it’s too expensive of a gift.”

“Hey, you don’t need to worry about me and money. I have it, I make it, I invest it, I spend it. If I want to give a beautiful woman something special, I will, no matter how much you protest.”

Her hands massaged her temples. “Sorry. Sometimes itgets a little overwhelming how we come from two different worlds. I’m used to scraping by, and the simple things in life. I think the last thing a man ever bought me was a salad.”

I snorted. She deserved more, better, and I was the man about to give her everything. “Let’s make a deal. You don’t complain when I buy you something.”

“Fine, it’s just I have nothing to give you in return. I mean, what do you give the man who has everything?”

“That’s easy.” I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her forehead. “Give me your time. Be patient with me because I’m a man, and as a species, we’re known to be assholes now and again. And of course, pussy always makes a nice gift for any occasion, or just because.”

“Rex.” She burst out laughing at the last part, brightening my evening with her pearly teeth framed in red lipstick and a gorgeous curve to her lips.

“Add to that list—your sunshine. I could use more of it in my life.”

“Really? Well, that could be arranged. I have plenty to give to the right man.” She winked.

Would it be me? If she said yes, it would.

“Who knows? Maybe we’ll hang it in our own place someday.” I threw that out there, as it sounded like the exact sappy thing a hopeful man would say.

“Ourown place?”

“Sure, I hope I’m not too presumptuous here as to where this might be headed.” I took her hand to lead her up the stairs, and felt her out a bit with that question, just to be sure what page shewas on.

“No. Not at all. Presume all you want.”

That was a relief. With each step we took, landing at the top, I gained more confidence in the outcome for tonight. I stopped at the top of the stairs and I captured her lips again. The same jolt of electricity hit me, as it had every time we connected. Was it just me? Falling into this role with her seemed easy and comfortable.

I opened another door and was about to take her up a skinny flight of stairs to the roof, but she held back.

“I don’t know where you’re taking me, but I have something to tell you.” A hint of worry crowded her voice.

“Oh, yeah?” I paused, hoping she’d make this fast because I suddenly I needed for her to see everything I had waiting for her.

“Rex, I called Uncle Doug today and told him I decided to stay here. I asked him to renew the lease. This is what I want more than anything, to make a good life and a good living running the deli. He agreed and said he’d call your office next week to arrange it.”

What she wants more than anything? What about me? Would she want me in five minutes after I told hermygrand plan for us?

I simply nodded toward the stairs. “Come on.”

“Wait. There’s something else I want to tell you.”

“Okay.” I cocked my head.

“These past couple months, getting to know you, have been crazy good. Unexpected. Since last night, I’ve been thinking about how I reacted seeing you with Marlena. I wasso jealous, and I think that must mean…I’m falling for you,” she ended in a whisper.

I broke out into a smile all over again and claimed her lips. Yes. Everything was falling into place. I had her on my hook.

We took the short flight of stairs, and, once we stepped outside onto the roof, the cold air hit us, but I was prepared. With a few clicks on my phone, the rooftop lit up with string lights everywhere, propane heaters turned on, and a snow machine at the base of the water tower above blew a light dusting of snow everywhere.

“Oh, my—what is this?” Her face, like a child’s, captured the magic all around us as she took it all in. Exactly the look I was going for. But I didn’t stop there. The rooftop was where Dad asked Mom for her hand in marriage. Surely it would work with Chelsea.

I led her down a path of rose petals to a table covered in white linen with a bouquet of red roses lit up by candlelight. As we got closer, in the middle of the table, a black velvet ring box became visible, and I reveled in her eyes growing wide at seeing it.

Now for the hardest part.

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