Page 114

“You read my mind.” She leaned in even closer, and he tightened his arm around her.
When they had walked a ways, they turned along the path at the back of the vineyard, and Skylar stopped in her tracks. There were lantern stands in a long row leading to a table covered in white linen with a lantern and a vase of orange, pink, and red dahlias in the center.
“What is this?” Skylar eyed him.
He smiled. “Breakfast.”
“You are the sweetest. Do you know that?”
Franky shrugged. “I have my moments.”
He led her to the table and pulled out her chair then took a blanket from the other chair and wrapped it around her shoulders before he took a seat. Silver domes covered two plates before them, and he lifted them to reveal an omelet, bacon, and fruit.
“Looks so good,” she said.
“Are you too cold out here? We can have it all brought back to the restaurant.”
“I’m perfect. Everything’s perfect.”
“Good.”
They ate and talked and enjoyed each other’s company, and when they were through, he covered their plates again and took her hand. He walked them a little further down to a spot where the sunrise peaked over the tops of the vines, giving everything a warm morning glow.
“You are so beautiful.” He gently pushed a hair behind her ear.
She felt a blush color her cheeks. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
He chuckled as he drew her close and dropped a soft kiss to the tip of her nose. “You know what I want to do right now?”
She raised her eyebrow curiously. “What?”
Franky’s face turned serious as he dropped to one knee in front of her and pulled out a ring box.
Skylar’s hands raised to cover her mouth. “Franky,” she breathed.
“I love you, Skylar. I have never loved anyone the way I love you. And I know we’ve only been together for two months, but we’ve known each other practically our whole lives. I don’t want to wait to tell you that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I’m more certain about this than any decision I’ve ever made in my life. I want to end every day with you and wake up in your arms every morning. If not for you, I never would’ve had the courage to step away from law and pursue music. You make me better. You make everything in life better. Say you feel the same.”
She nodded enthusiastically. “I do. You make everything in my life better too.”
He opened the box to reveal a sparkling round diamond within. His chin quivered a little as he gazed up at her. “Skylar Anna Schultz, will you marry me?”
Big teardrops slid down her cheeks and dropped to the ground at their feet. The emotion was so strong and the joy so great that she was left speechless.
“Babe?” His eyes were filled with worry. “Is it too soon? Was I wrong to ask?”
“No.”
“No?” His mouth fell open at that word.
“I mean, no, it’s not too soon.” She laughed nervously.
He blew out a relieved breath and searched her eyes, waiting expectantly for her answer.
“Yes!” Skylar enthusiastically declared. “Yes, I’ll marry you, Franky! Of course, I will.”
He jumped up and pulled her into a hug, burying his face in her neck. “Oh my gosh, my heart is beating so fast. You scared me to death when you said no.”
She laughed. “How could you think I would ever say no to you?”