Page 49 of Watch Me

I wince. “I’ll make it up to you.”

He smiles, something sharp and greedy with his signature charm. “Perfect. We’re leaving. You’ll come to my bungalow and stay all night?”

“Yes.” Along with the next night, and the one after, and the one after that, if he’ll have me.

“You won’t leave me again?”

“In the morning? No.”

“Ever?”

Is he saying… “Are you asking me to move in with you?”

He clenches his jaw. “No.”

My stomach plummets. “Sorry. I misunderstood.”

“Mymamá, she would be very disappointed if we lived together. Just before you sent her to dance with Kristoff—a brilliant move, by the way—she asked if you were my girlfriend.”

“You said yes.” A smile creeps across my mouth.

“I did, then I whispered in her ear. Do you recall?”

“Yes, what did you tell her? And what is anuera?”

“I told her I had other plans.” Alejandro grabs my hand, kisses it, then whispers, “Nuerameans daughter-in-law.” He takes a little black box from his pocket. “Interested in being my wife?”

Shock bursts inside me, breath-catching and sweet. “You’re proposing?”

“Yes.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be down on one knee?” I tease.

“I would rather be on top of you, always.” He winks. “I love you, and I suspect life with you will never be boring. Will you marry me?”

“YES!!!!" I clutch Alejandro tight as he opens the box. When I catch sight of the ring, I fall in love all over again. “Yes!”

“Good. I wasn’t taking no for an answer.”

“It’s beautiful,” I breathe as he slips the square solitaire on my finger. Tears gather in the corners of my eyes, slide down my cheeks. Probably ruining my mascara—and I don’t care. “When did you buy this?”

His cheeks flush a dull red. “About four hours ago. But I’ve known that I love you for far longer than that.”

“I knew you’d captured my heart, too. I was just afraid that love meant giving up my dream. I’m sorry. Never again.”

“Together, we can face anything. Shall we tell my mother and your father?”

“Yes. Just… I want another moment alone with you.” I squeeze his hand. “This is the happiest night of my life! The win, the engagement… Wow, almost too much good stuff to take in. I feel so complete.”

He brings me against him for a lingering embrace. “Me, too. I’ll be here to share your triumphs for the rest of our lives. But…” He frowns. “What happened to the blackmailer? He threatenedto circulate Kristoff’s video to the judges to prevent you from competing and winning.”

“I know. I’ve been scratching my head, too. Maybe he changed his mind?”

A pounding on the door interrupts our closeness and musings. Oops. Someone wants their office back, and we’ve made an absolute mess.

Alejandro opens the door with an apology on his lips. “We’re very sorry…”

But instead of an angry event manager standing on the other side, it’s Kristoff.

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