Page 58 of The Reverse Cinderella

“Yup,” Dix grinned unrepentantly.

“Tell me,” Piaget narrowed her eyes at Max

“We’re supposed to go to the roof,” he sighed and played with Piaget’s hair. “There’s champagne up there. There’s a telescope up there. We were going to look at the harbor where I have talked a lot of boaters into setting up a nice message for you. Then I was going to go down on one knee, with the ring and I’m pretty sure you’d say yes… I hope you say yes then there was fireworks scheduled.”

“Really?” Piaget breathed. He really was the most romantic and creative man.

Max shrugged. “Well, the surprise is ruined now.”

Piaget leaned up and gave Max a kiss. “Yes. I’m saying yes.”

Dix snorted. “Piaget, he didn’t even ask!”

“Then I’ll fix that,” Max grinned as he got down on one knee, holding Piaget’s hand. “Piaget. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Piaget nodded through her tears. People around them started cheering and clapping. She was sure a reporter got a picture, but she didn’t care. Let it end up in the papers, her night couldn’t get much better. Max took a small ring out of his pocket and gently put it on her finger. It was delicate and understated. Piaget instantly fell in love with it.

Max held her in his arms and whispered in her ear. “I know it’s not much since we’re on a budget right now but maybe we can replace the diamond for something bigger later.”

“Don’t you dare!” Piaget scolded him with a smile. “It’s perfect.”

They had a wonderful night at Barneys and many came up to the roof to watch the fireworks later. Piaget and Max walked home, hand in hand, enjoying the night. She noticed that Ed was no longer on the park bench.

“Ed saved enough to put a deposit down on a little apartment on this place about an hour away. It’s a small town and everything he needs is in walking distance,” Max replied. “He left today.”

“I’ll miss him,” Piaget said. “I’m glad he’s going to be okay.”

Max smiled. “I got his address so we can send him cards for the holidays and maybe the occasional care package.”

Piaget teared up and hugged Max. “That’s a wonderful idea.”

Max held her. He looked uncertainly into her eyes. “Are you sure about the ring? I really do mean it about getting a larger diamond later when we can afford it.”

“I’ll hide it before I let you change it,” Piaget warned. She gave Max a kiss. “I love it and I love you.”

Max smiled. He really was the luckiest of men.