Page 22 of King of Manhattan

Vince sighs. "It's... complicated. Luca and I have history. Some good, some bad. He's not exactly thrilled with my decision to go straight."

I process this, watching Luca charm Vince's sisters across the room. There's clearly more to the story, but I trust Vince to tell me when he's ready. We've come too far for secrets now.

"Well," I say, smiling up at Vince, "whatever his story is, I'm just glad we're writing our own."

Vince's eyes soften, and he presses a kiss to my forehead. "Me too, baby. Me too."

As the afternoon wears on, I find myself enjoying the warmth and liveliness of Vince's family. They're loud, passionate, and fiercely loyal - so much like Vince himself. I'm in the middle of a heated debate with Gianna about the merits of New York vs. Chicago pizza when Vince catches my eye, gesturing for me to join him on the balcony.

"Everything okay?" I ask as I step outside, the cool evening air a welcome relief from the warmth inside.

Vince nods, looking uncharacteristically nervous. "Everything's perfect," he says, taking my hands in his. "Emily, these past few months... they've been the happiest of my life."

My heart starts to race. There's something in his voice, in the intensity of his gaze, that tells me this isn't just casual conversation.

"You've changed my life in ways I never thought possible," Vince continues. "You've made me want to be a better man, to build a life I can be proud of. A life with you."

He drops to one knee, and I gasp, my free hand flying to my mouth.

"Emily Bennett," Vince says, his voice thick with emotion as he pulls out a small velvet box, "will you marry me?"

For a moment, I'm speechless, overwhelmed by the love I see shining in his eyes. Then, I find my voice.

"Well," I say, a teasing smile playing on my lips even as tears of joy start to form, "I suppose someone has to keep you in line."

Vince grins, relief and happiness lighting up his face. "Is that a yes?"

I pull him to his feet, wrapping my arms around his neck. "That's a yes, Vincent Russo."

He slips the ring onto my finger - a stunning emerald-cut diamond that catches the light beautifully - before pulling me in for a passionate kiss. I lose myself in it, in the feeling of rightness that comes with being in his arms.

When we finally break apart, breathless and grinning, we turn to find the entire family watching us through the glass balcony doors, cheering and applauding. Even Luca is there, raising a glass in our direction with a complicated expression I can't quite decipher.

As we rejoin the party, now an impromptu engagement celebration, I can't help but feel a mix of contentment and excitement. Our life together is just beginning, and while I know there will be challenges ahead - I'm ready to face them. With Vince by my side, I feel like I can handle anything.

The future stretches out before us, full of promise and possibility. And for the first time in a long time, I can't wait to see what it holds. As Vince pulls me onto the makeshift dance floor, spinning me around to the sound of Frank Sinatra's "The Way You Look Tonight," I know that whatever comes next, we'll face it together. And really, what more could a girl ask for?

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