Page 75 of The Deal Maker

I can’t believe I’m actually holding the Queen of Hearts card.

“How did you find this?” I say, my voice coming out as a whisper.

Duke gives me a small smile and says, “It took some time and a lot of help from Troy, but we managed to find it in a little place up in Boston. It got here yesterday. I can’t tell you how hard it was to keep it from you.”

I laugh, still not believing that the man would work to find me the card I’d always wanted.

And then he drops to one knee.

“I didn’t want to go shopping for a ring without you, but I also wanted to surprise you. So,” he says, taking the Queen of Hearts card and holding it in front of me. “Magnolia Dean, will you marry me and make me the happiest man in the world? I know I’ve got my quirks and struggle with different things, butyou make me a better man and I can’t imagine my life without you.”

He takes in a deep breath after his speed proposal and I lean down, kissing him on the lips. “I would love nothing more than to be your wife.”

There is no flash mob, no onlookers watching this special moment. And it feels as close to perfect as it can get. My brain can’t quite believe that this is my life.

Duke and I have made a lot of deals since we’ve known each other, but this one is the best of all.