Page 100 of Beginning Fate

“Is that allowed on the clock?”

He shrugged with that grin that just melted my heart.

I loved him more than I knew was possible. I loved the life we were planning together. I loved how he loved my sister as if she were his own. There was so much to love about this man that it made my chest feel like it was going to explode with happiness.

I had no idea why I even considered returning home when everything I wanted in life was right here.

“If you have a few minutes, I have something I really need to discuss with you.”

“Good because I need to ask you something too. I have one last table and then I can take a break.”

“Okay.”

“What would you like in the meantime?”

“How about spaghetti? I don’t need anything fancy.”

“Spaghetti it is then.”

He left to do his job while I sat there thinking through everything I wanted to say to him. I wasn’t even sure how to go about asking him about this. It was a lot easier to seek Kylie’s permission. I at least knew that it would go one or two ways with her, but I had no idea what Denny’s reaction would be.

I sat there stewing over it for about twenty minutes before Denny finally got his break.

For some reason, it felt as if the whole restaurant was watching us. Maybe I was just being self-conscious, or maybe it was nerves, but I felt like I was in the spotlight.

Everywhere I looked, I swore someone was staring at us.

I was looking around and not paying attention to Denny trying to determine why everyone was looking at me.

He cleared his throat, and I looked over and then down.

My breath caught.

“Denny?”

He grinned up at me and winked.

“Lauren, my love, I have a question to ask you.” He pulled a small box from his pocket and opened it. I gasped at the large diamond ring inside. “Will you marry me?”

I was confused at first, but then realized that every single one of his coworkers had stopped and were standing around awaiting my answer. Was he doing this for them or for us? I had no idea what was going on.

“Well, are you going to leave him down there waiting forever?” Monica asked.

I planted a huge smile on my face and nodded.

“Of course I’ll marry you.”

The whole restaurant went up in cheer.

He placed the ring on my finger and slid into the booth next to me as his coworkers came by and personally congratulated us before going back to work.

“What was that all about?” I asked him once they had all dispersed.

“Well, I figured since I get to keep you now and they will have questions. It makes sense if we just get married.”

“You really want to get married?”

He shrugged and leaned in to whisper in my ear. “I already bought the wedding ring. Figured you could just wear it, and they won’t ask so many questions about what’s going on with me and my girlfriend.”

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