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“We will.” He melted his lips on mine. “And I love you, Chelsea.”

Rex Buchanan

As far as Chelsea knew,this brunch was in celebration of Colt heading off to boot camp. There was another reason entirely, and I had everyone in on it but her.

Since we got back together, surprising Chelsea became my favorite hobby. I was always leaving notes lying around in unexpected places for her to find. Bought ticketsfor us to attend concerts or plays together. I even jetted us off to a spa getaway one weekend.

I loved spending money on her, mostly because she didn’t take me or money for granted, often sometimes chastising me for spending too much on her. But it would never be enough. I’d spoil her, but I could never picture her turning spoiled or bratty.

Today would be my biggest surprise yet. We were to meet our families at Tetto, an Italian five-star restaurant in one of the high-rise buildings I own with incredible views of Manhattan. But I purposely made us late, hence our shower together after painting the posters for Colt.

When we arrived at Tetto, every table was empty, just like I’d requested, since I reserved the entire venue for the day.

“Oh no. Are you sure they’re open?” Chelsea asked given how quiet it was as we stepped off the elevator, except for some kitchen noise.

“Supposed to be.” I scratched the back of my head and really played it up. “I think I hear some sound over there. Let’s walk to the other end and see if maybe brunch is served down there.“

I had her walk in front of me, mostly so I could admire the way her tan suede thigh-high boots made her ass shimmy in a body-hugging cream-colored sweater dress.Buying her clothes was another new hobby of mine, and I’d picked this outfit for her, especially for this occasion.

The sound got louder as we reached a door on theopposite end of the restaurant, but we soon realized it was music. “I think we’re supposed to go in here.”

I opened the door and watched her face as she entered to the scene before her. Her eyes darted around and her face contorted. “Rex, what did you do?”

I took her by the hand and led her down a white aisle runner sprinkled with red rose petals, to a seven foot tall heart, covered completely in red roses—Except for two words spelled out in white roses across the middle: Marry Me.

Music softly played for us by a string quartet off to the side, and the walls of the room were decorated floor to ceiling with white linen curtains. The potent scent of roses wafted through the room and everything was just as I wanted it for her.

I got down on bended knee to deliver the most important speech of my life.

I took her hand, and a deep breath, and noticed she was already crying before I’d even begun.

“Boy, I really fucked this up last time. Didn’t I?”

She laughed so hard she snorted, bringing her hand to her nose. “Yes, you did.”

“So I’m pretty sure whatever I do this time is going to top that. But you know what? I just wanted to keep it simple. Last time I had all these plans and elaborate schemes and promises of money and buying you things, all to convince you to marry me and give me what I want. What a mess that was, right?”

“Yes.” She reached her hand out and fingered my hairoff my forehead. I was kind of sweating it, even though I had confidence in what her answer would be.

“This time, there’s only one thing I’m offering. My heart.”

“Oh, Rex.”

“And this time, there’s only one thing I want. Your heart.”

She cried, and could no longer move her hands fast enough to stop the tears from rolling down. I reached a hand up to help.

“I know, it’s been a sort of whirlwind relationship, so fast, bumpy yet easy at the same time. Everything between us feels right. It did from the beginning, but we just didn’t have our acts together. Well, I didn’t. Thankfully, you gave me a second chance and now? Every day with you is one I don’t take for granted.”

One of the violinists broke away and brought Chelsea a handful of tissues, and we laughed and thanked them.

“So I don’t see why I should have to wait another year before I ask to spend the rest of our lives together when I already know that’s what I want to do. Chelsea Ruth Calhoun, would you do me the absolute honor of marrying me and being my wife?”

I held out the emerald ring Mom had given me. My parents had a pretty good marriage filled with love for each other, so hopefully this ring brought good luck. I pushed it onto her ring finger, and it fit perfectly.

“It’s so beautiful! Yes, Rex, I’ll marry you.”

I stood, and she launched into my arms, and I swung heraround. “Thank you, sweetness. You’ve made me the happiest I’ve ever been.”