Page 142 of Out of the Gold

The assistant’s mouth flies open. Her eyes bounce from Melody’s hand to her face and then to mine. “Oh my God. Did you just get engaged?”

Melody starts to stammer a reply when I jump to my feet. “Guilty! Melody always said she wanted to have a romantic proposal, one she could share with her parents and, someday, our kids. I’m proud to say she agreed to be my wife.” I bring her hand to my lips, a smile dancing around my mouth.

Melody bursts out laughing. “I never thought being surrounded by my work would be a romantic setting, but leave it to Charles to turn anything into a memorable occasion.”

Her assistant turns and yells, “Melody got engaged!” She rushes in and hugs us both.

We spend the next hour accepting congratulations from everyone on the show, and even the network. Melody exalts under their excitement, at being accepted as a talent in her own right. And, even better, being loved for the amazing woman she is.

Finally, I escort her out of the building and toward a new restaurant opened by one of the premiere chefs in the world. I offer her my arm and escort her inside. And right to a table where her family awaits.

“Mom! Daddy! King! Angie! I can’t believe you’re here!” She gives them each huge hugs and then thrusts her left hand in front of them. “Charles proposed today!”

Brax walks over to me and shakes my hand. “Son, we’re so happy to welcome you into the family, even if you turned down the role playing me.”

“Thanks, sir,” I reply. We’ve cleared the air between us over the movie. I’m actually a bit excited to see the premiere, without being a part of it. He breaks into a broad smile and wraps me in a bear hug.

After hellos and congratulations are shared—as well as how I romantically proposed this afternoon in Melody’s office, which causes my fiancée and me to share a conspiratorial wink—I bring up theVarietyarticle. Everyone is so excited to see Melody blossoming. No one more than me.

I place my arm around the back of Melody’s chair and raise my champagne. “To my future wife, the woman who resides in my heart. She taught me to trust in my secret desires, and I’m here following them. Because of her. I’m humbled to be welcomed into your family and promise to allow Melody’s light to shine brighter than she even believes possible.”

I raise my glass. “To my fiancée. Who shares her golden light with everyone she touches. I love you.”

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