Page 178 of Beneath the Blue Moon

“I wanted you all to myself.”

“We could have stayed home for that.”

“Yes, but this is your day.I wanted to pamper you.”

The waiter shows up with our menus and hands Ethan the winelist.

“Bring us a bottle of the Riesling,” he says.

“Yes, sir.Just take a look at our menu and I’ll be back totake your orders.”

“I’m ready now.The shrimp and vegetable tempura, and the capreseto start, then the veal piccata for me and the chicken arrabiata for my lady.”

“Certainly, sir.”

Alone again, Ethan reaches across the table and takes myhand.“Did you enjoy your surprises?”

“Oh, yes!Especially the spa.That one I’ll have to indulgein more often.”

“I’ll make you a standing appointment then.”

“You’re going to spoil me.”

“You bet.”He grins.

Throughout dinner, I tell him about my day.I try to get himto tell me how much it all cost, but he won’t budge.As the waiter clears ourtable, Ethan asks me if I would like dessert.

“Um… Yeah.I’ll try the Irish Chocolate Cream.”

After the waiter walks away, Ethan pushes his chair back andstands, hand outstretched.

“May I have this dance, my lady?”

I place my hand in his as the opening notes of a song begin.“Certainly, my lord.”Stepping into his arms, I’m greeted by eyes filled withlove.“I know this song.It’s the one we danced to at the fundraiser.”

“It is.”

“Did you request it?”

“I did.It’s our song.”

“You’re such a romantic.”

“I try.”

“You succeed,” I tell him.

He holds me tightly as we move to the music.When it gets tothe point in the song, he whispers in my ear along with the singers.“You weremade for me.”

A shiver runs up and then down my spine as his warm breathcaresses my skin.

“Yes.”

He pulls away, reaches into his jacket pocket and removes asmall, velvet box.With a smile, he falls to one knee before me.Wait… Is heproposing?But I thought that’s what the whole mate thing was about.I get awedding, too?He opens the box, and a huge, princess-cut diamond sparklesat me.

“Casey, my love.I can’t go through this life without you bymy side.You are my heart, my soul, my reason for being.Marry me.Say you’llbe mine.”

With love bursting in my heart and joy flowing through myveins, I fall to my knees also.