Page 24 of Night Wedding
Diego darted up once more. “Be right back.”
Crusty cauldrons, what was up with him?
I attempted to put it out of my mind as I sipped my tea and scanned the cover of the next book I was considering.
A few minutes later, Diego returned with a book on New England architecture.
“Found something?” I asked.
“Maybe.” He opened the book, but when I glanced up a minute later, he wasn’t looking at the pages. Instead, he seemed to be people watching or something like that, not that there were many people in view. I tried not to read any more into his odd behavior and returned to my books.
Susan stopped by soon after and greeted us both. “Nova, here’s an edition ofPride and PrejudiceI think you’ll be interested in.” She handed me a book.
“Thanks.” I glanced at it. It was one of those fancy reprints with gold-edged pages and beautiful artwork meant to look good on display. Since I already had a hardcover on my bookshelf and a paperback that was well worn, I didn’t need a third. “It’s very nice, but I already have two copies.” I handed it back to her. “If I have a third, it might become hoarding.” I grinned.
She exchanged a furtive glance with Diego.
He took the book from her and placed it on the table between us. “It’s already paid for. I bought it for you.” He nodded to Susan. “Thanks for bringing it over.”
She smiled and walked away.
“Oh, Diego, that was sweet.”
He watched me with expectation in his eyes. “Open it,” he insisted.
Okay, that was odd. I knew how it began:
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.
I opened the hardcover and gasped. It wasn’t like any book I’d ever seen. A hole had been cut through the pages to fit the contents of a small red velvet box. Was I imagining it? Something I never thought possible?
My hand fluttered to my heart. “Diego, this can’t be… Can it?”
“Open it and see.” His expression brightened with expectation.
As I pulled out the box, my fingers trembled. I fumbled, almost dropping it.
“Whoa, you don’t want to lose that,” Diego teased.
I opened the velvet box to reveal a gorgeous round diamond ring. “Oh, Diego.”
He slid from the chair and bent to one knee beside me. “Nova, will you do me the honor of marrying me and making me the happiest man alive?” He then leaned up to my ear and whispered, “Well, sort of alive.”
I laughed through happy tears. “Yes. Definitely yes!”
We stood and then fell into each other’s arms, laughing and embracing each other tightly. When he kissed me, my legs turned wobbly. I held onto him for support.
Cheers erupted from around us, and we pulled apart. Everyone in sight in the store applauded. Susan brought her hands together, nodded, and smiled. Diego must have enlisted her help in pulling off this task with the book.
He embraced me so tight that I made a sound likeoof.
He released me. “Sorry, just a little excited.”
I stared into his eyes, somewhat bewildered by our unexpected engagement. His bright blue eyes were full of joy, so different from the broody vampire I’d met last October.
“I thought you never wanted to get married,” I said. His ex had turned him bitter to the idea.
“That was before I met you, Nova.” His eyes shone with hope. “And fell utterly in love with you.”
