Page 80 of Daring Destiny
I watch closely as she takes a bite. Her eyes flutter closed in pure bliss. She’s everything I ever wanted. More than I dreamed of. When she whispers, “I love you,” I know it’s time.
“Astrid.” My voice catches slightly but I stand up on wobbly legs and reach into my pocket. My hands tremble a bit because never, in a million years, did I hope to meet my person. “There’s something I need to ask you tonight.”
She blinks up at me with confusion. Then it dawns on her and her entire face lights up. “What are you—”
Before she can finish, I’m down on one knee in front of her. Presenting the seven-carat ring I’ve had for over a year. A vintage diamond set in platinum with intricate filigree detailing, making it look timeless and unique. Exactly like Astrid. The diamond catches the light from the lanterns around us and sparkles brilliantly.
She gasps, her hands fly to her mouth. “Brennan.”
“Astrid.” I try to keep my voice steady despite the pounding of my heart. “You are the most incredible person I’ve ever met. You make me better, you make me braver, and you make me want to be the man you deserve. I can’t imagine life without you in it, and I don’t want to. I want to share everything with you—the good, the bad, the successes, and even the failures. I want to build my future with you. So…will you marry me?”
For a second I think she’s going to turn me down because she bursts into tears. I’m terrified—is marrying me so terrible? But, wait. She’s nodding and reaching for me. Finally a smile breaks across her face and she eeks out a breathless, “Yes. Yes. YES.”
Her acceptance is barely out of her mouth before I’ve wrapped her in my arms and lifted her from the ground and swung her around. She grips my face and kisses me hard. It feels like the world is spinning and standing still all at once.
When we separate and the surroundings come back into focus, we notice the waiters are applauding and whooping. Astrid blushes, burying her face in my shoulder.
I can’t stop smiling. I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy.
She holds out her hand and I slip the ring on to her finger. It fits perfectly. Like it was made for her. “It’s incredibly beautiful.” She’s choked up. “Wait, is this…?”
“Yeah, it’s the ring you admired last year in Palm Springs. The moment I saw it, I knew it was yours. After you went back to Seattle, I bought it thinking I’d propose last year. But, with all the legal shit happening…” I brush a strand of hair from her face. “I didn’t want to propose until we were through it.”
Astrid’s eyes are filled with so much love. I feel my heart swell. “I can’t believe we’re engaged. I can’t believe this is real.”
“Well, it is.” I hold her hand up to the light. “Smooth sailing from this point forward.”
On cue, a man begins to play a Hawaiian love song on the ukulele. We sway together to the sound with the waves crashing softly in the background. The moon shines down on us. It’s perfect. I’m not worried about the future. I’m happy to be in the present with the love of my life, knowing our lives together will be beautiful.
“I love you.” She looks up at me, caressing the hair at my nape. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too.” I lean down to kiss her again. “I promise I’m going to spend the rest of my life proving it to you.”
thirty-three
Astrid
One Month Later
It’sallcomingtogether.
Our new life. A new outlook. Possibly a new home, if the seller accepts our offer.
Then we can start planning the wedding.
For now, though, we’re hopefully finalizing Jason Deveraux’s involvement in Reuniverse.
To say he’s the epitome of Seattle tech sophistication is an understatement. A quintessential Pacific Northwest fifty-something tech billionaire exuding an approachable, laid-back charisma, but Jason exhibits the kind of authority that comes from building an empire most people could never fathom.
He and his son Jace share the same piercing green eyes and a calm, measured demeanor. Unlike Jace, whose long tresses reach halfway down his back, Jason is clean-cut with neatly trimmed, salt-and-pepper hair. Like most rich Seattleites, he mostly wears golf shirts and jeans instead of blazers and suits.
We sit at a small conference table in his office overlooking Lake Washington. Jason leans back in his executive chair surveying the two of us with a knowing smile. In front of us are sleek black leather portfolios, each embossed with the Deveraux emblem.
A carafe of water and a tray of gorgeous pastries sit untouched in the center. My eyes flick over to them because I’m fucking starving. I’ll wait, though. Brennan and I have a lunch date at the Met after this meeting to discuss whatever happens here today.
“Alright, let’s cut to it.” Jason seems charged with excitement. “I’ve been thinking a lot about Reuniverse, and honestly, this is one of the most exciting projects I’ve come across in years. Before we move forward, I want to make sure we’re all aligned on where this can go, and more importantly, how we’re going to get there.”
Brennan tenses beside me, his shoulders stiffen, but he doesn’t break eye contact with Jason. I reach under the table and brush my fingers against his hand. He relaxes a little.