Page 120 of House of Desire

Anya stands in the middle of the room, a light blue dress on her that’s almost silver.

“Is this nice enough?” she asks, spinning for me, her skirt swirling around her knees.

“It’s perfect,” I say, kissing her again, careful not to get her wet. “Go wait in the living room, I’ll be right there.”

I check my pocket for the ring box three times before I leave the bedroom, my light gray suit a perfect complement to her dress. I leave my hair down, her preferred style, and make my way to the woman I’m going to propose to.

“Ready?” I ask.

“Ready,” she says, standing, tucking her phone into her pocket. The pockets were the biggest selling point when she brought the outfit home. She emphasized their existence multiple times when she tried it on for me. She sees the black silk in my hand and looks at me questioningly.

“Blindfolding me in public, now, huh? Was that time in our couple’s therapy session on the show not enough?”

“Where we are going is a surprise.”

“Okay, but just know, you have to use this tonight. I’m not going to be able to think of anything else.”

“Deal,” I say as she turns her back to me.

I get the blindfold situated and carry her to my truck, setting her inside. Within ten minutes, we arrive at her new bakery, one of the largest benefits of the new location. Charlie holds the door open for me as I lead Anya into the space, quietly blowing me a kiss as she leaves. Everything is perfect. The flowers and candles are exactly as they were when I proposed to Anya on the finale of House of Desire.

“It smells like paint, Parker. Not exactly an appetizing scent,” Anya jokes.

“If you want to go somewhere else once you see it, we will.”

“Can I take the blindfold off?”

I get into position behind her, getting down on one knee, the ring box in my hand. My heart is racing as I tell her to take off the blindfold.

“Yes. Take it off.”

Her gasp is everything and I know I did well.

“Parker, what is this?” she says, looking around until she sees the sign. “The Whimsical Whisk Bakery? Is this mine?”

“Anastasia,” I whisper, and she spins around, her hands covering her mouth as tears fill her eyes. “I love you more than I thought possible. Ever since I met you, I know what it feels like to have my entire being set aflame. You consume me. Every thought. Every heartbeat. It’s yours. There is no one else. When you got out of that limo, it was like someone rang a gong inside my soul. And now I’ve heard it, I don’t think I can go back. I want you to be mine every day for the rest of our lives. Will you marry me?”

Silent tears stream down her face, her hands falling down and showing me a smile that stops my heart.

“Yes,” she whispers. “A thousand times, yes.”

I surge up from my place, grabbing her into my arms, spinning her around. The ring fits perfectly on her finger and something settles in my soul, knowing this woman is mine. Forever.

“So, what do you think of your new bakery?” I ask after we stare at her ring for a few moments.

“It’s amazing! Parker, when did you do this? How did you do this?”

“It was one of the jobs my crew was working on. I saw the location one day on my way to another job and I knew I had to buy it for you. You can either keep both locations open, or close the other one and move all of your operations here. But I think you should keep both. Start expanding.”

“I can’t believe you did this for me.”

“I would do anything for you.” I tuck her hair behind her ear as she looks up at me with love in her eyes. I plan to see that look on her face every day for the rest of my life. “Do you want to see the back?”

She nods enthusiastically before skipping away through the swinging door. I laugh, following her.

“Oh my God! I can do classes!” She runs past all the new equipment and runs her hands over the tables her students will be sitting at in the near future.

“I knew that was important to you. And you’ll be able to hire more bakers. I have no doubt the additional capacity will quickly pay for them.”

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