Page 104

Marc grabs his phone but hesitates. “Are you sure you don’t mind eating with her? This can be a dinner for the two of us like we planned, and she can meet up with us later.”
Does he want this dinner to be just the two of us?
“I mean, if you want it to be more intimate, then I am perfectly fine with it just being the two of us. However, I am also perfectly okay with your sister joining us. I want to share this moment with family, especially since-”
I stop talking as my throat tightens withemotion. I blink rapidly to keep the tears from falling and messing up my makeup.
In an instant, Marc is by my side.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for this to become too much for you. That was never my intention.”
I wave him off. “You didn’t do anything wrong. I would love to celebrate with your sister. So, you call her and I’ll get a bigger table.”
“Sounds great. Thank you for including her. I know it will mean the world to her.”
I head to the hostess stand while Marc calls his sister.
After getting our reservation changed to a bigger table, I meet back up with Marc.
He ends the call and slips his phone back in his pocket. “Amanda will be here in ten minutes.”
“Great. Our reservation had to be moved to eight, so we have a little time to talk and get to know each other before dinner.”
He gestures to an open bench that is facing the water. “Do you want to sit while we wait?”
“Sure. We have some time to kill.”
I sit in the middle of the bench and lean my head on his shoulder.
Holding up my hand, I admire the diamond ring.
It is the complete opposite of what I had with my last marriage. Hell, this one actually fits, so that is a plus.
“You picked out such an amazing ring. I stillcan’t believe you went through all that just to make sure it was the correct size.”
His chuckle causes my head to bounce. “I just wanted it to be perfect.”
I look up at him as he stares into the ocean.
“It is beyond perfect. All of this. The condo, the proposal, the ring, and meeting your sister. I feel so lucky to have you in my life.”
“I’m the lucky one.”
I lean closer and press my lips to his.
A woman’s voice sounds from behind us. “You two are seriously so cute together.”
Marc and I break the kiss and look towards the voice.
I recognize the woman from the photographs that are in Marc’s house. His sister is wearing a knee length, one-shouldered, light blue silky dress.
Marc stands and walks over to her, pulling her into a hug. “Amanda, I’m surprised it only took you a few minutes to get dressed.”
She looks embarrassed. “I didn’t want you two to be waiting for me.” She turns towards me. “It is so nice to finally meet you, Staci.”
I give her a hug and it feels like I have known her for a lifetime. “We don’t mind waiting a few extra minutes. I mean, who wouldn’t like to sit and watch this sunset?”
She laughs and nods her head before pulling her phone out of her clutch and walking back over to Marc.