Page 18 of Dating the Boss

It’s been three months, but rumors about my relationship with Brooklyn circled the office in less than two weeks.

What can I say? I couldn’t keep my hands off her.

However, tonight, I officially come off Spring City’s most eligible bachelor list.

“Your table is ready, Mr. Manning.” The host motions for us to follow him to our dining table at the back of the restaurant. We’re having dinner early tonight, stopping at a fundraiser for a quick meet-and-greet before heading home. I really don’t want to go to the fundraiser, but Camden impressed upon me the importance of a public outing, especially after doing what I’m about to do.

The host pulls a chair out for Brooklyn, but I quickly shoo him away, standing behind her until my woman is settled.

“Have a lovely evening,” the host nods at the same time a waiter walks up with a bucket of ice and a bottle ofVeuve Clicquot.

“Champagne?” Brooklyn raises her brow. “Are we celebrating tonight?”

“I hope so.” I don’t waste any time, dropping to one knee as I pull out a two-carat, oval-cut, diamond solitaire set in a platinum band from my pocket. It’s simple and elegant, just like her.

She gasps and covers her mouth with her hands.

I hear the chatter around us die as the few patrons in the restaurant who can see us stop eating and talking to watch. I don’t care; I want this to be public—I want the world to know that this woman has my heart.

“I know this is fast, but I also see no reason to delay this moment, considering time will not change my mind. Brooklyn, will you marry me?”

Tears fill her eyes as she nods. “Yes.”

Placing my hand on the side of her face, I kiss her with all the happiness I feel. Applause erupts around us, most of which come from the restaurant staff. She stands, wrapping her arms around my waist, and holds on to me tight.

* * *

As soon as Brooklyn said yes, Camden used his PR channels and made it public, thus ended my torturous reign as Spring City’s most eligible bachelor—not that I haven’t made it obvious by having Brooklyn as my one and only date these past few months.

Even tonight, as we attend another fundraiser, she’s on my arm, as beautiful as ever in a sequin cocktail dress, my ring on her left hand. And because she was part of my team, or entourage, as she likes to remind me, attending these events, she already knows the regular players.

“Nice to see you again, Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman.” She shakes Gideon’s hand. He’s the owner of a New York-style delicatessen that now has four locations across the city.

“Brooklyn, how many times must we tell you to call us by our first names?” Stephanie, who is a veterinarian and runs a small office downtown, smiles and offers her right hand, her left hand rubbing her swollen belly.

I shake Gideon’s hand. “Looks like you two will welcome a new member any day now.”

“God, I hope so.” He glances at his wife, love and adoration written all over him. I wonder if that’s what other people see when they catch me staring at Brooklyn.

“What’s this stunning piece of jewelry?” Stephanie motions to Brooklyn’s left hand at the same time the Overlook Hotel’s owner, Sebastian Croft, and his wife, Mara, step up to our group.

Mara sucks in her breath. “Are you two engaged?”

Brooklyn smiles, her eyes alight with excitement. “An hour ago!”

Stephanie claps her hands at the same time Sebastian smacks me on the shoulder. “Congratulations. It’s about time you two made it official.”

“About time?” Brooklyn laughs. “We only started dating a few months ago.”

He exchanges a look with his wife that has me chuckling. “We knew damn near a year ago, the first time we met you, that the two of you were meant to be together.”

Mara nods. “Yep. Remember our conversation that night, honey?”

“About how obvious it was to everyone except them?” he laughs and pulls her to his side.

I shrug and slip my hand into Brooklyn’s. “I knew it too, but I needed time to get everything right.”

“Do we have a date yet?” Stephanie asks.

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