Page 58 of Finding Love on the Slopes

They enjoyed their meal for several moments before Leighann started on the main topic she felt needed to be addressed.

“I visited my grandmother today,” she said before eating the last bite of her salad and pushing the plate away.

“Oh nice. How is Stella?” Enrique asked, adding his bowl and plate to the pile of dirty dishes needing to be taken away.

“She’s good. I forgot for a moment that you’ve met her. Poor thing, I rambled on and on about you today like you were a stranger.”

“And she let you, I bet. She has a way of just sitting and listening. I like her a lot. Sorry, what were you going to say before I interrupted?” Leaning forward on the table, he gave her his undivided attention.

“She said that you can’t put a timer on love and that as long as we communicate, strive to understand each other, and compromise, then we will be fine. We are on completely differentends of the spectrum on money, so I am just wondering how we are going to compromise on that. It is really the only serious issue I can see to our happiness.”

“I’m not sure how to reassure you on this, Leighann; I just need you to trust me. You have made yourself clear on wasteful spending and living a life of excess. I have explained that even when I make purchases that seem ridiculous to you, I usually have a multifaceted purpose for them. We will figure this out as long as neither of us is holding too hard to a line. There is plenty of room in the middle for us to succeed. Speaking of which, I spoke with my brother Gabe today and I will be moving to Florida in the next month.”

Leighann was shocked, “Really? Like, permanently?”

Enrique chuckled at her response, “Yes, permanently. I’m not interested in a long-distance relationship. Now that I have found my one-in-a-million, I’m not going to let you go. Gabe is working on building a small resort on Islamorada about twenty minutes south of where you are located in Key Largo. I will work on finding us a home while I’m in New York transitioning my business, and hopefully, by the time I’m ready to move, we will have that taken care of.”

Leighann sat back and tucked her hair behind her ear.

“Tell me what you’re thinking right now. I can see the wheels spinning.”

“I just never imagined any of this, and it is happening so fast. It’s exciting and terrifying all at once. I wantthis more than anything, but sometimes I feel like I can’t catch my breath,” she admitted honestly.

“We’re in the same boat. Do you want to slow down? I don’t want you to feel pressured.” He reached across the table and placed her trembling fingers in his.

“No, I’m thirty-two, and now that God has given me a wonderful man to love, I want it all. Once I see a clear path, I’m not usually one to dawdle. So, what are your thoughts on kids? I would like at least two, maybe even four. Three is an odd number, and I feel like someone will always be left out.”

“Let’s start with one and see what happens. I agree; two or four would be wonderful. Now for a compromise.” His eyes twinkled, but he looked serious.

Chapter Fifty-One

Leigh took a deep breath, “Okay. Is this going to be our first fight?”

“We’re not going to fight Leighann. I saw that in my home, and it will not be happening in ours. Disagree, certainly, and then find a compromise. Hear me out before you jump to any rash conclusions. When we do get around to having children, whether they be biological or adopted, I’m open to either; we will have a nanny.” Enrique held up his hand when he saw her start to object immediately. “You have a career, and I have a career. It will be impossible for one of us to always be present and available. We will need someone with security clearance and a spotless background check. That means the same person all the time, not a babysitter we call in when we need one. This is not something that needs to be figured out now. We aren’t even married, but that will be difficult for you to grow comfortable with, so I thought we shouldstart now.”

Lorenzo brought in their next course and slipped out the door on silent feet, smiling at the progress they had made in such a short amount of time. He was proud of them. As he passed through the portal, Mrs. Ellis softly closed the door and asked, “Well?”

“Not yet; I’m thinking maybe over the dessert.” His smile was wide as he made his way back to the kitchen to prepare that very thing.

Back at the table, Leighann sliced her knife through the perfectly seared filet mignon like it was butter, “I see how this is going to go. There won’t be as much compromise on your side as planning for adequate mental preparation for me to compromise. What else do I need to prepare myself for?” she asked, taking a bite of the meat and humming her approval.

“We’re keeping the chef and housekeeper and likely adding at least one more maid since there will be two of us to clean up after from now on. I don’t anticipate us living in the penthouse of a high rise, so there will be groundskeepers and security as well.”

Leighann’s fork had stopped halfway to her mouth with a bite of lobster hanging off, her eyes wide.

“Look at it this way. You can cook, clean, and garden as much as you want. But when your research, work, baby, or husband need your time and attention, you won’t feel pulled in a hundred directions or overworked into exhaustion. I will sleep easy knowing my family is protected, no matter what job I have, as billions of dollars in assets tend to put a target on your back. Wewill live in a well-organized, clean home that we feel comfortable coming home to and relaxing in without worrying about dust mites and roaches. And, if all of those are insufficient reasons, they will be well-paid and respected employees who can make their dreams come true and support their families.” Enrique ended by stuffing a large piece of steak in his mouth.

Finally eating her lobster, Leighann glared at him, “You’re not going to play fair, are you?”

“Baby, I was raised on the streets. Life isn’t fair, but it can be fun if you make it that way. We are going to have a good life. Do you trust me on that?”

Leighann reached across the table and squeezed his fingers, “Yes, I do believe we are going to have a good life.”

She was cutting into her lobster tail and chewing a bit of truffle-infused mashed potato gratin when Enrique came to kneel beside her, catching her off guard. When she turned to look at him, he was down on one knee, holding up a stunning and outrageous engagement ring.

“Leighann Grace Parker, I promise to strive every day to deserve you and will learn to be humble. I will give up my glitter and gold and my high-rise in the sky to be by your side, getting sunburned in the sand. Will you marry me?”

Leigh had to cover her mouth to prevent choking and spewing her mouthful of potatoes all over his face. After her mouth was clear and she had taken a sip of water so she could speak, she laughed, “Yes! Yes, of course, I will marry you. We will have to work on your timing.”

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