Page 59 of Secret Admirer
She stood and walked beside him as she said, “A private tour?”
He squeezed her fingers with excitement. As long as she didn’t notice the slight square bulge in his right pocket, it would be a surprise. “You don’t expect me to stand in the crowds, do you?”
Her eyes narrowed. “I’m not Catholic, though, so I thought I got in last.”
He winked at her. “You’re with me.”
She pressed her hand on her heart and asked in a serious voice, “Do we have to break up again because of my Protestant roots? I never really thought about you being Catholic, as you’re Italian.”
They were almost where he wanted them to be. Everything was going according to his plan when he said, “We’ll meet with the pope this afternoon and you can talk to him yourself. If he gives his blessing, we’re good.”
She jerked to a stop and let his hand go. “You’re not serious.”
“He’s nice enough." His lip twitched. "Don’t be nervous.”
“You’re joking.”
“Okay, fine. We don’t need his blessing.” He took her hands. The last thing she needed to be right now was worried. He pressed his forehead to hers and said, “We’re good. I thought you liked me joking around.”
“I do.” She smiled at him, finally, and nodded. “Only when I am sure it’s a joke.”
He kissed her cheek and directed them forward again as he said, “I won’t let us break up ever again. You’re my love, Rebecca.”
A rosy blush colored her face as they rounded the corner. She said, “That’s good to hear.”
“And the pope can convert you whenever I call him.” Her eyes widened but she didn’t say anything. Perhaps he wasn’t the best at joking. Either way he brought them through a crowd. “Now that you’ve had your ice cream, walk a little more with me.”
“Good idea, as the food here was rich and delicious, like everything I’ve tasted.”
The crowd was on both sides of them and he kept his hand in his pocket so no one noticed the bulge from the box. The people parted and she looked down at various folks sitting on the stairs at a plaza before one of his favorite fountains. She took in in the scenery. “Where are we?”
Bart stood beside her. Tourists were sitting on the stairs that were often featured in movies about this city, and the stairs led to a pretty fountain, one where as a boy he’d wished for his life to be different. With Rebecca, it now was though he only said, “These are the Spanish steps.”
She scanned the white steps as if searching for their meaning. “Why are they called the Spanish steps?”
He took her hand to lead her down the steps as he pointed toward the bottom. “The Spanish embassy was located nearby.”
“Oh.” She still looked confused.
Hopefully soon, he would have more than a girlfriend, so he said, “Come on.”
“Where?” They weaved through the tourists.
His gaze stayed on the secret double suns engraved in the fountain that most people didn’t notice. As a boy he’d spent hours studying this, wondering why there would be two suns and not just one. He'd never quite figured out an answer that suited him. He directed her forward. “Stand right here in front of theFontana della Barcaccia.”
She watched the fountain spit out water and said, “This is beautiful.”
He smoothed her hair back from her face and took the black box out of his pocket as he said, “So are you, Rebecca James. When we get back to Miami, I’d like to introduce you as more than just my girlfriend.”
She tilted her head. “What do you mean?”
Bart showed her the ring box. “I’m hoping you’ll say yes and we can plan a wedding in the future.”
“Seriously?” Her eyes were wide.
He opened the box and showed her the three-carat, princess cut, eternity diamond ring he’d picked out this morning. “You crashed into my life and I’ve never been the same. I don’t want to be the same. I want you to stay, with me, forever.”
She covered her lips but dropped her hands a moment later as she asked, “So you’re asking?”
