Page 103 of The Boss on the Brain
The new location that Desmond had given me three years ago made all the difference. I applied everything I’d learned from Mom, and this time around, I could see that everything she had taught me had ensured my success.
We’d been able to invest in high-quality ingredients and decor, bringing this restaurant up to par with Manhattan’s other fine-dining options. Now that it was done, I was surprised at the profits the restaurant could bring in.
“You did good,” Desmond said, rubbing his hands up and down the sides of my arms. “Did you read the latest issue ofEdible Manhattanmagazine? The one where they profiled your restaurant? The food reviewer mentioned your name only about seven times.”
I shivered. “When I heard of that, I was terrified. I thought food reviewers were known for being ruthless.”
“And yet he said your restaurant was the best he’d visited this year. Exceeding in hospitality, warmth from the staff, and a fine taste for the palate,” Desmond said, turning his head a little to kiss me on my temple.
I relaxed against his side.
“It’s not just them,” Desmond continued. “I’ve had a handful of friends from my circle reach out to tell me what a good time they had when they visited your restaurant.”
“Hmm,” I said, savoring the feel of his lips against my cheek and neck. “I might have drawn inspiration from all the places you took me to on our dates.”
“Well, I’m proud of you—you know that? Proud of what you’ve achieved on your own. And I’d bet your mom would tell you the same.”
I looked up at the only image of Mom on the back wall. I had it framed in a spot where I could always look atit and remember that, though difficult times might come, I could weather it, just like she had. I still visited her grave regularly, keeping up my side of the conversation on things that had been happening. I knew that Mom was watching over me and that, someday, we would meet again.
Still, in the past few years, the difficult times had been few and far between with Des by my side. From the very beginning, Desmond had made it very clear to me we were in this together. So, whether it was cutting down the number of business trips he had to take each month, or picking me up from work so that we got to spend our evenings and nights together, he was one hundred percent my partner.
With the success of this restaurant, I’d been considering opening a new one. A French bistro, much to Rishi’s delight.
Rishi had recently moved back to LA and landed another gig in a B-grade movie, acting as the hero’s sidekick, and he was simply thrilled. He had penciled a date in my calendar for next week, where I would join him on set one day to see him act—something that I was enthusiastically looking forward to myself.
Lily still came over weekly for Sunday night dinners or to a pool party so we got our usual dose of Lily banter. Gabi and the others loved Desmond, and he always got something for Gabi’s kids from his travels and all the latest gossip for Freya.
The clock struck six, and I started to worry that my guests weren’t arriving. I was disappointed that I still didn’t have an update from Luke Walters.
I turned to the kitchen. My staff, surprisingly patient, had cooked up an eclectic menu all for this date, and I needed to give them a heads-up.
I kissed Desmond and stepped away. “Let me go tell them they have to wait a little longer.”
I walked out of the kitchen ten minutes later—Gabriela had talked at great length about her son’s new school project—when I found that the restaurant was plunged into semi-darkness.
“Darling?” I called out just as I noticed a crescent-shaped row of candles on the floor. My first thought was that the fire alarm was going to go off before I realized that those were flickering electric candles.
And Desmond was kneeling.
My hands rushed up to my face as I realized what was happening. There was no Luke Walters. This was all Desmond.
“Ava Lynn Hale,” he said, “Fourteen and a half years ago, I met a girl who took my breath away and made me fall in love with her every single day, over and over again. When I met you again three years ago, I could see so much of the Ava that I had once known and something more. You’d been through so many tough times and come out of them with such a soft soul and a kind heart that I couldn’t help but fall further in love with you. In the past three years, you’ve made me laugh endlessly, stood by me like a rock through the tough times, and been such a great partner in everything. I’ve been happier than I ever was for the longest time, and nothing makes my heart fuller than seeing you when I wake up every morning or at the end of each night. I’ve been meaning to ask you this question, and I can’t wait any longer. Will you do me the honor of marrying me?”
My breath froze. Desmond had been dropping hints all month long, but I hadn’t expected this today.
“Darling,” I said, kneeling down next to him. There were tears of happiness in my eyes as I looked back at him. “Desmond McKinley,” I whispered, “you’ve brought me a sense of belonging and a sense of being home that I didn’t have with anyone else until I met you. You mean the world to me. So, yes, my crazy partner. Yes, I will marry you.”
Desmond leaned in to kiss me softly, subtly. His lips were warm, the touch just a little wet, and a thrill ran all the way down my spine as he stopped and looked back at me with love in his eyes. With tender, loving affection.
The doors to the kitchen opened, and I saw Freya, Gabi, and Lily coming out with a teary-eyed Rishi as they cheered and clapped. Brody was not too far behind, and the content smile on his face said it all.
Desmond helped me up gently, and I laughed a little as the staff brought out our dinner to the only table in the restaurant.
Desmond guided me over to the candlelit table and placed the ring on my finger. It was a giant oval-shaped diamond set in a platinum band. The ring was braided on the sides, and the diamond sparkled under the lights. It was beautiful. As he slipped it onto my finger, I felt my heart sing with a happiness I had long forgotten.
Loving Desmond was inevitable, ever since our paths crossed three years ago. A fortunate event that I would cherish every single day, over and over again.