Page 62 of Cru's Crush

“Daphne?”

“Yes, Enzo?”

“What would you think about me calling you Mrs. Avila?”

My gaze didn’t waiver from his. “I would love it.”

“You do know I’m asking you to marry me, right?”

“You’d better be since I’m already saying yes.”

He turned while still holding me and walked toward the ATV. As he did, the pond grew shallower to the point where he could step out of it as if we were at the beach. He grabbed the shirt he’d draped on the handlebars and put it on the seat before resting me on it. Then he reached inside a storage box affixed to the back of the vehicle and pulled out two towels, along with dry clothes.

“If I didn’t already love you more than I dreamed possible, it would increase exponentially right now.”

He leaned forward and kissed me. “It grows deeper every day for me too.”

After we both dressed, I thought we’d leave to return to the vineyards. Instead, Cru pulled out a cooler bag, spread the towels out on a grassy area, and we shared a picnic, complete with an unmarked bottle of wine.

“Is this what I think it is?” I asked, hoping it was the blend I’d first had at Stave.

“You’ll have to taste it and find out.”

I smiled and rubbed my hands together, watching as he poured into the two crystal glasses that had been inside the wine bag.

“It’s even more intense than I remembered,” I said after swirling and inhaling deeply.

“Go ahead,” he said, waiting for me to taste first.

I savored the liquid that flowed over my tongue, experiencing every nuance and focusing on the mouthfeel, the dryness, as well as the acidity. I took a second sip, concentrating more on each flavor and when I experienced it. Its herbaceousness was more like red currant rather than true cherry but with a bold underlying menthol note, followed quickly by boysenberry and blackberry compote. Finally, black licorice led into the long finish that had a tug of earth amid a generally velvety feel.

I looked up at him. “It’s perfect.”

While I watched him swirl, sniff, and taste, I thought about him saying that maybe someday he’d tell me what he’d named it.

“So?” I asked. “Do you agree?”

“I do. It’s exactly what I wanted it to be.”

“Does that mean you’re ready to divulge the name?”

“Close.” He winked.

I folded my arms and pretended to pout.

“There’s one more thing I need to know first.”

When he stood and held his hand out to me, I left the sandwich I was unwrapping on the towel.

“Look out,” I warned when he took a knee almost directly on top of it.

The smile left my face as I watched him pull a small box from his pocket, then take my left hand in his right.

“Daphne Cullen, let’s make this official. Will you marry me?”

“Of course I will. Yes, yes, yes!”

When I fell to my knees too and wrapped my arms around his neck, Cru hurriedly moved the sandwich aside, or I would’ve landed on it too.