Page 99 of Scarlett and the Big Bad Billionaire
For a few moments he just kept them there, and I felt them trembling.Whatwas going on?
Then I felt pressure from behind, and I was in motion, soaring toward the dark night sky. Behind me, Gray started humming the song Jade had just finished. Then he sang one of its verses.
Before you knew you needed me… you did.
Before you knew I loved you… I did.
Before we knew each other’s names
Before we knew each other’s pain
I did. You did.
I do.
Will you?
His voice wasn’t polished and perfect like hers, but to me it was beautiful. Each note pulled at my heartstrings.
As his singing faded, Gray walked around in front of me. The swing slowed, then stopped.
And he got on one knee.
My heart performed a double somersault. “What are you doing?”
He didn’t answer, just gave me a smile and pulled something from his pocket, holding it out to me.
The facets of the platinum-set diamond glittered like mini-bonfires in the light of the lanterns hanging all around us. It was absolutely magnificent.
“It belonged to Vivi,” he said. “I was going to buy a ring, but she insisted you have this one. It’s her favorite.”
My mouth went dry, and my throat ached. “Isn’t this going a little far to support the story?”
The sincere way my heart was reacting to the fake proposal was almost cruel. I fought back tears.
“We can’t keep doing this, Gray.Ican’t keep doing this. It’s gone too far. We have to call it off. We have to tell the truth.”
He nodded. “You’re right. I do want to tell the truth—all of it. And when I’m finished, I hope you’ll let me slide this onto your finger.”
Rising to his feet, he offered his hand to pull me up. When I was standing, he took me into his arms, looking down into my eyes as he spoke.
“Scarlett… I might not be able to say it as well as the song did… but I felt every word of what she said. The way I feel about you would fill up albums—racks of albums—old vintage record stores full of albums.”
“The way you… feel?”
“Yes. I love you, Scarlett.Notin a fling way—the no-sex kindorthe with-sex kind. In a forever way. I want the engagement to be real. I want you to stay here in Eastport Bay. I want you to marry me.”
Overwhelmed and probably in shock, I struggled for words.
“Gray, I…”
“Before you answer… there’s something I need to tell you.” He swallowed, his Adam’s apple traveling the length of his throat. “Something I maybe should have told you a long time ago.”
“Ooookaaay…” I dragged the word out, waiting.
Just then, a small group of about five people ran out of the back door of the house onto the terrace. Looking around, one of them pointed at us.
“It’s her. I told you it’s her,” a woman shouted. She held up her phone so the others with her could see the screen. “This is the girl who’s getting married, the one the party’s for.”
