Page 118 of The Close-Up
“I’d have to agree.”
Epilogue
One year later
“Don’t fret about it. You’re gonna do great. Like always,” Simon says.
The nerves swirling inside of me turn to heat. He knows his cam guy catchphrase is the right thing to say to distract me. “Thanks.”
Standing next to me at the front of the hotel conference room, he reaches over and gives my hand a squeeze.
This is how Simon has always kicked things off the handful of times he’s featured me as a guest speaker during one of his seminars. As attendees walk in and find their seats, that’s when my nerves hit their peak. But just a few encouraging words from him, and I feel a million times more centered.
If you had asked me a year ago if I would have ever considered speaking at a relationship seminar, I would have cackled in your face. But after we became an item, Simon’s seminar attendees mentioned wanting him to bring on guest speakers now and then. After the tenth time he pitched the idea to me, I caved. Part of me was curious to see if I could try something out of my comfort zone. It turns out that I can. Today marks my third time doing this.
It’s a natural progression, I suppose.Simply Simonwas a hit—it earned the highest ratings and viewership of any online series ever produced on the Dash website. It also earned me a promotion to executive producer. I have full control over any and all series I want to film along with a small staff. And now I can add guest speaker at my boyfriend’s relationship seminars to my list of professional accomplishments.
Fiona wasn’t even mad when I told her about my and Simon’s relationship. Probably because of how I timed it. I waited until she returned from her anniversary trip to the Seychelles, when she was all loved up and in a bliss bubble, to disclose our relationship. She was totally fine with it. I worried for nothing.
Simon’s work has experienced a similar boost. His seminars are always full and his therapy practice is busier than ever. He has to refer inquiries to his colleagues.
“Thank you so much for coming today,” Simon says to the packed room.
He introduces me as his guest host and asks if anyone has any questions they’d like to ask. I call on a guy who’s raised his hand. He’s late twenties with a nervous smile on his face. Under the overhead lights, I spot small beads of sweat lining the top of his forehead.
“Yeah, hi, um, Naomi,” he stammers. “I’m just... I have a question and I’m not sure what to do or how to go about it or...”
I flash what I hope is a comforting smile. “It’s okay...”
“Tanner.” He takes a deep breath. “I want to propose to my girlfriend.”
I smile. Out of the corner of my eye, I see that Simon grins too.
“Aww! That’s wonderful. Congratulations!”
Soft claps and whistles echo through the room.
Tanner flashes a flustered smile before mumbling a thank-you, then looks between Simon and me. “The thing is... I’m nervous she won’t say yes.”
“Why do you think she won’t say yes?” I ask. “Haven’t you talked about getting married?”
He shrugs. “Yeah. Never in depth, though. I try to bring it up, but I get so nervous sometimes. We’ve talked about getting married someday. I just don’t want it to be unromantic, you know? I want it to be spontaneous and a surprise. I don’t want it to come off like a business negotiation.” He clears his throat. “And I guess... Well, I just want to know what you think. Would you want to talk a lot about marriage more before a proposal? Or would that take the romance out of it for you?”
“Honestly? If a guy were to sit me down and say that he wanted to talk marriage, long-term plans, family, all that, with me, I would swoon. That’s romantic as hell. Because it means he sees a future with me and that’s the most romantic thing he could ever do.”
Tanner flashes a relieved smile. “Really?”
“Really.” I sneak a quick side-glance at Simon, who’s nodding along. “I don’t care if a guy proposed to me on the Eiffel Tower with a rock the size of my head. If I can’t actually envision a future with him—if we’ve never had a serious conversation to make sure we’re on the same page about building a life together—I would say no to the proposal. I’m not saying that every woman is like me. There are plenty who would say yes, I’m sure. But the more you talk about marriage, the more comfortable you’ll feel, and the sweeter her yes will be when you finally propose. Because that way, there’s no doubt. Those butterflies you’ll feel when you’re down on one knee waiting for her answer won’t be from uncertainty. They’ll be from pure joy. And those are the best kind of butterflies.”
I look over at Simon, who mouths “Nailed it” to me. I smile a thanks, grateful that he has no idea what I’m planning.
Tanner thanks me and I ask if there are more questions. When I finish, everyone applauds, and I walk to an empty chair at the back of the room and check my phone while Simon leads the rest of seminar.
I see an email that throws me off completely. I squint at the message, my mind racing. Keywords pop out from the text.
Deposit... Overseas emergency... Closing...
I can’t wait any longer. This has to happen. And soon.
