Page 38 of Don’t Fall for the Billionaire
Chapter Thirty-Eight
ONE MONTH LATER
Ashton
I flipped open the lid and handed the box to Charlie.
“Wow, Ashton. It’s gorgeous. Charlotte is going to flip when she sees this.”
“Do you think she’ll say yes?”
“What the fuck?” He laughed. “Of course she’ll say yes. That girl loves you more than anything.”
“I know she does. But a part of me is scared.”
“There’s that damn fear again.” He sighed.
“This is a different fear, Charlie.”
“Get out of your head.” He hooked his arm around me. “I can’t believe my best friend is finally getting married. When are you proposing?”
“Tonight. I want to give her an autumn wedding.”
“Next year, right?”
“No.” I furrowed my brows. “I don’t want to wait a year to marry her. I want to do it this fall.”
“Dude, it’s already almost spring. There isn’t enough time to plan a wedding.”
“I was thinking either the beginning or the middle of October. That’s seven months. We have plenty of time.”
“Okay. If you say so.” He chuckled. “Where are you going to do it?”
“Central Park. On the bench where we first met.”
“You mean the same bench where she threw a cupcake at you?”
“Yep.” I grinned.
“Priceless, man. Priceless.” His grip around me tightened.
I tucked the box into my pocket and left his office.
“Lila, I’m heading out for the day.”
“Okay, boss. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She smiled.
When I stepped out of the building, snow was lightly falling, nothing heavy, but just enough to set the scene for when I proposed.
I took a cab to where the horse and carriages were near Central Park while I sent Dominic to The Cozy Crumb to get Charlotte.
I didn’t have to worry about Eloise because Melissa was watching her at our home.
Eloise knew what I was planning tonight because she helped me pick out the ring.
I was worried she’d slip and mention something in front of Charlotte, but so far she hadn’t.
My heart pounded as I climbed up into the carriage, crouching low on the leather seat. Through a small gap in the velvet curtains, I watched the Escalade slow to a stop where our carriage driver, Marcus, had positioned our horse-drawn carriage.
“Is that yours?” Marcus asked.
“Yes.”
He cleared his throat and stood tall, his hands folded like those of any professional driver awaiting his client. I watch Charlotte exit the Escalade and look around. Marcus walked over to her.
“Excuse me. Are you Charlotte Campbell?”
“Yes, I am.” She looked confused.
“Your carriage awaits.” Marcus gestured with his hand and smiled.
“I’m sorry. What?”
“Come on, Charlotte,” I whispered. “Just follow him to the carriage.”
“Your carriage ride, Miss Campbell.”
“You must be mistaken. I didn’t pay for a carriage ride or order one. You must have the wrong Charlotte Campbell.” She began to walk away. I had no choice.
“Charlotte! Get in the damn carriage,” I stuck my head out and shouted.
“Ashton?” Her eyes squinted. “I thought we were meeting for dinner?”
“I love you, babe, but I really need you to join me in the carriage.”
She walked over with a grin, and I held out my hand and helped her up.
“What is this?” She kissed my lips. “Hi.”
“Hi. I thought it was a beautiful night for a carriage ride through Central Park.”
“That is so romantic.” She snuggled against me as I covered our laps with a blanket.
We rode through Central Park, chatting and taking in the snow-covered view. It was perfect, just like she was. The carriage stopped in front of the bench where Charlotte and I first met.
“Why did we stop here?” she asked.
“Come on.” I grabbed her hand, climbed out, and led her to the bench.
Sitting beside her, my stomach twisted in knots, and my heart raced out of my chest. I grabbed her hands.
“I love you so much, babe. You have turned me into the man I never thought I could be. There isn’t anything in this world I wouldn’t do for you.”
“Oh, Ashton. I love you too.”
“You are the love of my life, and the only woman in the world I want to spend the rest of my life with.” Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out the box and got down on one knee, in the snow, in front of her. “Charlotte, will you marry me?” I flipped open the lid.
Her hand flew over her mouth while tears streamed in her eyes.
“Yes, Ashton. Yes. Yes. Yes.” She bounced up and down. “Oh my God.”
With a smile, I took the ring from the box, placed it on her left hand, and brought it to my lips. Standing up, I kissed and hugged her tightly. “God, I was so worried you’d say no.”
“Then you mustn’t know me very well.” A smirk crossed her lips. “This is the best night of my life. I love you so much.”
“I love you more.”
“Not possible.” She shook her head.
“Oh, but it is, future Mrs. Cross.”
“Gah. I love the sound of that!” She grinned. “I can’t believe you proposed where we first met. You are such a romantic, Mr. Cross.”
“I fell in love with you the moment that cupcake hit my pants.” I smiled. “I found it fitting to propose here. Now, let’s go home and tell Eloise.”
“Did she know what you were planning?”
“Yeah. She knew. She helped me pick out the ring.”
“And she didn’t slip?” Her brow arched.
“I don’t know. Did she?” My eyes narrowed.
“I swear to God I had no idea you were going to propose. But I’m happy you did. I can’t wait to marry you.”
“Good, because we’re getting married this October.”
“Wait. What?” Her eyes widened. “Ashton, that’s not enough?—”
“It’s more than enough time, sweetheart. We’ll hire a wedding planner and let them do all the work. No expense shall be spared. I want us to have the perfect autumn wedding.”
She jumped up, her arms wrapping around my neck as her legs tightened around my waist.
“I love you. I love you. I love you,” she said, planting tiny kisses all over my face.
“I love you too, babe.” I chuckled.
“I already know where I want to have our wedding.”
“Oh yeah? Where?” I smiled.
“Here. At the Mall and Literary Walk. The Elm trees are amazing and so colorful in October. And then we’ll have the reception at the Loeb Boathouse with the lake view.”
“Sounds perfect.” I kissed her.