Page 142 of The Flirt

When he finally pulled back, I batted my eyelashes. "Can I open my goodies now?"

"Sure."

I immediately took the package and placed it in my lap, opening it carefully. “King cake! How did you even manage to do that? The dough needs a few hours to rise."

"It does, as the pastry chef reminded me multiple times. But she said she used the dough she’d prepped for something else. Be careful when you bite into it, though."

"Did you hide a baby Jesus inside it?"

He smiled. "Just be careful."

I heeded his advice. In fact, I didn't even bite into it. Instead, I carefully ripped off a piece and then a second one.

Huh. Disappointment roiled in my stomach. If there was a baby Jesus inside, it was tiny.

I continued to rip off big chunks, and then I hit something hard!

Then I stilled, because my middle finger went through something that was unmistakably a ring.

I held it up, and Chad took it from my finger before I even had time to process what was happening. He went down on one knee, holding the gorgeous ring. It was a pristine white diamond, and I absolutely loved it.

"Chad," I whispered.

"I woke up this morning wondering what the hell happened last night. Then I remembered why I don’t talk much. Judging by last night, I should keep to my strengths, which is showing you how I feel." His hand was shaking slightly. I was fighting tears of joy, though I wasn't sure I could hide them much longer. "You're perfect in ways I couldn't have imagined."

I put a hand on my stomach. Deep breath. No tears, Scarlett. No tears.

"I love you with everything that I am, and I’m yours, Scarlett. Not just today or for now. I want you to be mine forever." He took my hand, kissing it quickly. "I want you to be my wife. Will you marry me?"

"Yes. God, yes. Of course I’ll marry you." My voice cracked on every second word.

"You're mine, baby," he whispered as he put on the ring. "And I am yours. Only yours."

He kissed my hand again. "And right here in your favorite spot in the city, I want to promise you that my entire life, I will strive to surprise you, spoil you, and protect you on haunted tours.”

I chuckled. “Especially that.”

“And to forcefully take care of you when you're sick. Although, I might use my husband privileges and not let you go out of the house in the first place."

"Like that could stop me," I murmured, no longer bothering to hide the tears. "I love you."

"And I love you."

He rose to his feet, and I did the same. He wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed me right here in Jackson Square for all the French Quarter to see. Chad LeBlanc gave a new meaning to the term PDA. We only stopped when someone cleared their throat.

We pulled apart and saw there were two guys right next to us.

"Erm, can I help you?" I asked.

"Right," Chad said. "I forgot."

The man closest to us grinned. "Awesome proposal, man. You didn't give us your number so we could send you the pictures."

I barely stifled a laugh, but then my mouth fell open. "You have a picture of us? Oh, that's so sweet."

Chad rattled off his number, and they immediately sent the pics.

“I’ve got them,” Chad confirmed. "Thanks a lot."

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