“I know.” She shoots me a look. “A new model each month will grab a lot more attention, not that your half-naked body hasn’t accomplished that.”
I let out a low chuckle.
She shoots me a smile. “I’m just thrilled that my idea took root, and soon I’ll see it all come to fruition.”
I stop her from stepping forward by grabbing hold of her elbow. “I’m proud of you. I’m so damn proud of you.”
“Thank you,” she whispers. “I didn’t want to say anything in front of anyone else, but with the sales tonight and the promised commissions for custom photos, I’m free, Sean.”
Her ex hasn’t tried to reach out since our altercation in the lobby of his building. That’s been a relief for my love, but having that debt in her rear view mirror finally puts her past to rest forever.
I swallow back a rush of emotion. “Let’s take this to the roof to celebrate.”
Her gaze drops to one of the pockets of the suit jacket I’m wearing. I went with a dark blue three-piece to compliment the light blue dress she’s wearing.
She takes a half-step closer to me. Her bottom lip quivers before she digs her top teeth into it to still it. “Are you going to ask me to marry you tonight?”
I see no reason to lie, so I nod. “I am.”
“I’m going to say yes,” she whispers.
In that case, why waste another goddamn minute?
I drop to one knee and tug the ring box out of my pocket. I pop open the lid. I picked up the ring the day after we passed the window of a jewelry store called Whispers of Grace in SoHo. Calliope stared at the one-of-kind custom ring. The very next day, I went back and scooped it up. The designer and owner of the store, Ivy Walker-Marlow, told me how she’d come to envision the unique design that includes a circle of small pink diamonds around the larger stone in the center. The glow of the sunset as it enveloped the city inspired her. That was all I needed to hear to know this ring was created for my love.
Calliope lets out the tiniest gasp.
I stare up and into her eyes. “Before we met, I thought my life was complete, but then you charged into it. You are the strongest person I’ve ever met. Your fearlessness knows no bounds. You taught me how to love, cherish, and trust in someone. I will do everything within my power to be the partner you deserve. I will stand by your side and be blown away each and every day by your beauty and your capacity to love.”
“I love you,” she whispers. “I love you so much.”
“Marry me, Calliope. Honor me by becoming my wife, and I vow never to let you down. I will do everything in my power to make you the happiest woman on this earth, and I will love you until I die.”
“I will.” She holds out her left hand. “I will marry you.”
I slide the ring on her finger, stand, and scoop the woman of my dreams into my arms.
The kiss I plant on her mouth is one for the ages, and as we slowly part, she looks into my eyes. “Do you think Mrs. Sweeney is watching us through her peephole?”
“You know she is,” I whisper. “Let’s head inside because what I want to do to you next is for our eyes only.”
As I unlock the door to our apartment, she holds tightly to my hand. “We are going to have the most amazing life, Saint.”
I turn to look at her. “We already are, Champ. We’re just getting started.”