Page 124 of Take Hold of Me

I plan to.

Igetto our house before Ems and open a bottle of our favorite French wine to let it breathe. Who knew I would become a wine guy? So many changes, all because of her.

I putter around the kitchen, placing wineglasses next to the open bottle. Folding and refolding the dishtowels. Rearranging the flowers I placed on the island earlier. When nothing’s left to do in here, I make my way to the living room. Are the magazines out of alignment? I nudge them into a proper stack.

Rubbing my clammy hands down my jeans, I walk over to the drawing her mother gave her. Is it crooked? Standing in front of it, I decide the shops depicted are listing and push it up from the bottom right. Now it’s too high on the right. Expelling a breath, I push it back down. Turning on my heel, I enter the bedroom.

Bed turned down. Check.

Candles strategically placed. Check.

Flowers on the dresser. Check. I don’t think I’ve ever bought so many flowers as I did today.

I open the drawer under the flowers and pull out the little black velvet box buried between gym and dress socks. Flipping it open, a diamond gleams at me. I chose a round brilliant solitaire. A classic look for my classic bride. To-be bride. I hope. My eyes shut as I whisper to the empty room, “please say yes.”

Zak gave me shit about Ems from the start, but when I asked him to join me for this purchase, he became all business. He even printed out information about the 4 C’s of diamonds—cut, clarity, carat and…well, another “C” word. I swallow hard, shut the box and slip it into my back pocket.

Color—that’s it! I’m smiling at my success at remembering the fourth “C” when the front door creaks open. I race to thesalon, as she calls it, in time to see her close the carved front door. I give her a welcome home kiss.

“Class go well?”

“Oui.” She kicks off her shoes. Eyes alight, she says, “You know the new member Karen, right? She works with Dan at the television studio.”

My brows knit.

“Dan O’Connor? Cole’s best friend.”

“Oh, right.” My mind is so consumed with thoughts of the question I’m going to be asking that it’s difficult to concentrate on what she’s saying.

“Well, Karen said she is looking for new talent for a television show she is doing. It is a type of revival of an old show featuring stylists. And she says I would be perfect for the role.”

“Oh, wow. That sounds like it’s made for you.”

She nods and runs her hands around my torso, clasping them behind my back. “I am very excited.” She tilts her head up for a kiss. Who am I to refuse?

“Let’s go celebrate. I opened a bottle.”

“Great.”

Arm-in-arm, we walk through the archway into the kitchen. When I reach the island, I pour the wine.

“Oh, these are gorgeous!” She places her nose into the bouquet. “Buy yourself flowers for your birthday?”

I chuckle. “Something like that.”

“Speaking of which, I have a present for you.” She walks over to the desk in the kitchen and opens the middle drawer. Handing me an envelope, she says, “Bon anniversaire.”

My eyes meet hers. “Thank you.” I open a card that speaks of love and happiness, and then unfold the piece of paper that she had inserted. It’s an invitation to compete on “Ninja Heroes.” My mouth drops open.

“I thought you might like to try your hand.”

I can’t contain my excitement. I let out a whoop that I’m sure the neighbors can hear and twirl her around the kitchen. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” I kiss her until we’re both breathing hard. “You’ve made this day perfect.”

Well, almost perfect. I still have one gift I want to give myself. Picking up the glasses of wine, I lead her out to the patio and hand her one. “To exciting things ahead,” I offer.

The crystal glasses clink with a ping. When we’ve both taken a sip, I place my glass on the table. Then I take hers and put it next to mine.

“What?” she begins.

I drop to one knee, my heart beating a steady rhythm. I’m not scared about taking this step. I just need to seal the deal. I reach into my back pocket and pull out the small box.

She gasps, her hand flying to her face.

“Emilie Dubois, you mean everything to me. The sun, the stars, everything revolves around you. I’ve never been one for speeches, but you give me words. You give me love. And I love you with my whole life. I promise to love and protect you forever. Your body, your mind and your heart. Will you be my wife?” That wasn’t the speech I had prepared, but nothing about this woman has ever been prepared.

“Wills.Oui. Yes, yes, I will marry you!”

Tears spill down both of our cheeks as I slip my ring onto her finger. This is the best birthday gift I could ever receive. The body I was born to guard.

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