Page 56 of It Had to be You

Alextook Tatum’s hand in his and gave it a squeeze. "I wasn’t used to connecting with anyone the way I did with you. At first, I chalked it up to your teaching style. You were sweet and lovely, and everyone agreed that you were not just talented and a giftedteacher,youwere open to others and that made it easy for us to open up to you."

He shifted slightly, leaning closer.

"And then I realized how natural it was to open upwithyou. To share my thoughts with you, and my heart."

When Alex lifted his free hand from the table and reached into his pocket, she felt her hearttrip in her chest. He drew out a small box from his pocket and she took in a short breath. Tatum tilted her head, hoping to find an answer in his smile. "Alex, what is that?"

Her heart tripped in her chest at the thought of what might be in the box. They’d talking on the phone about where their relationship was going. She just wasn’t sure what this moment would mean to them.

His hand shifted slightly as he brought her hand up to his lips. "I know… I know… this is something different."

Setting her hand down on thetabletop, Alex used both hands to open the box and held it out for her to see.

"Oh, Alex. It’s beautiful."

She was barely aware that Alex was already rising from his seat, the necklace dangling from his fingers. Tatum blinkedto banish the tears in her eyes as the warm glow of the candlelight sent shimmersoff ofthe elegant necklace.

"I wanted you to know how much you’ve changed my life. The necklace is platinumbecause you told me how sad you were when you lost a pendant during a competition because the strain snapped the chain. That won’t happen with this."

Tatum looked up as he lowered the necklace down before herand when the pendant touched her chest, a few inches above the neckline of her elegant wrap-around dress, she touched her fingers to it.

"The open heart holds a mixture of dark rubies and garnets for your January birthday and my own in July. I think the subtle shifts in colorare a fair representation of our differences."

She felt his fingers adjust the necklace and settle something near her collarbone.

Lifting her hand, she traced the shape, slowly exploring the unique twisted design. "Is

that-"

"The symbol for infinity," he explained and she smiled, so excited to be right, "because I know that’s what we’re going to have together, Tatum. Forever. You and me."Alex placed a kiss

over the chain where it laid across the base of her neck and then leaned in

behind her until his hands were settled on her shoulders andthen he

whispered in her ear. "I love you."

Turning sideways on her chair, Tatum slipped her hand around to the back of his neck

and smiled up at him.

"I love you too."

A few musical notes turned her attention to the other side of the room.

While they had been talking, a small band had set up behind them.

Tatum caught Alex’s eye and sighed. "You think of everything, don’t you?"

Alex stepped back with a shrug and held out his hand. "I was hoping that even though

I’m just an amateur in ballroom, you might still be willing to dance with me."

"Willing?" Her laughter was filled with light-hearted joy. "Normally, I don’t, but since you went to so much trouble… I guess. Alex.” Her expression was softly chastising him forthinking she wouldn’t. “You make my heart dance." She put her hand in his and let him help her up from the table. Turning back toward his parents, Tatum gestured for his parents to join them on the dance floor. "You should join us."

Alex’s dad put his arm around his wife’s shoulders. "In a minute, you two go on."

The band was just about done with their warm-up when Alex stopped a few feet away

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