Speechless, she could only stare at him. He loved her? Helovedher.
Derek winced and scrubbed his hand down his face, then stood and walked around the couch to stare out a floor-to-ceiling window. "Forget it. It was a crazy idea." He laughed. "I let my brother convince me that things were the way I wanted them to be. I have no right to put you on the spot like this." He turned back, his face weary. "I'm sorry."
Carrying the ring, she rose and circled around to join him at the window. With her heart nearly bursting, she asked, "Do you have the other ring?"
He paused a few seconds, then he nodded and pulled a second box from another pocket.
She turned her back to him to hide her smile of jubilation. Janine opened the lid and inspected the dazzling Larsen family ring that now looked to her more like an albatross than a promise.
* * *
DEREK WATCHEDher, dying a slow, agonizing death. What had he been thinking to show up unannounced with a promise ring after a month of no contact? He could kick himself. Or better yet, Jack. The scheme had seemed like a good one when he and his brother had worked it out, but now he realized he needed Jack's flamboyance to carry it off. In addition to a woman who loved him.
Janine snapped the lid closed, then turned back to him. "Derek, did you know I'm offering a reward for the ring?"
He blinked. A reward? The last thing he wanted was her money. "Janine—" He stopped abruptly when she slid her hands up his chest and looped her arms around his neck.
His body sprang to attention and he swallowed hard. "Um, n-no, I didn't know you were offering a reward. What is it?" He was mesmerized by the love shining in her eyes.
"My firstborn," she whispered, then pulled his mouth down to hers for a long, hungry kiss.
Epilogue
MANNY OLIVERnoticed the small brown paper package on his desk when he returned from a particularly grueling staff meeting. When he saw Janine Murphy's name on the return address, he smiled, grateful for a pleasant distraction. His pleasure turned to puzzlement, however, when he unwrapped a black jeweler's box. Intrigued, he opened a small card taped to the top.
My Dearest Manny,
I had these made especially for you by a talented woman I met during my blissful honeymoon. Looking forward to seeing you soon.
Fondly, Janine Murphy Stillman
Stillman?Manny smiled wide and murmured, "All's well that ends well." He carefully opened the hinged box, then threw his head back and laughed a deep belly laugh.
Nestled against the black velvet winked an exquisite pair of gold cuff links fashioned into two tiny sets of angel wings.
-The End-