“Am I really so predictable?”
Vivian hummed. “Why would a restaurant owner need bodyguard protection?”
“Let’s just say the restaurant business is far more cutthroat than I first gave Wally credit for.”
“Have you called him yet?”
“I did earlier when you were in the bathroom.”
“And?”
“He’s excited for us. He thinks we should name the twins Sam and Pam.”
Vivian rolled her eyes. “I guess poor naming skills must run in the family.”
By the time we got through traffic, we were officially ten minutes late for our reservation, but I was pleased to see that the owner had followed through with the favor I called.
The hostess showed us to our private table in the back near the water feature. It was a quiet corner, nothing but the low rumble of conversation from the front of the restaurant with occasional ruckus from the kitchen. The table itself was covered in a white linen cloth, a single cut rose standing at the center in a tall crystal vase.
“Delilah and Julius?” she suggested over appetizers. I made sure not to comment about how she dipped her calamari into a side of mustard. My angel could eat whatever the hell she wanted, even if it was an affront to good taste everywhere.
I considered the combination. “Not bad, but they don’t really strike me as a Delilah or Julius.”
“Amelia and Jude?” she asked over entrées. Vivian ordered an entire rib-eye steakanda lobster tail. It was impressive how she cleaned the entire plate, not a morsel to be found.
“Getting warmer,” I said. “I like Amelia. Jude needs workshopping.”
“Okay,” she said definitively over dessert. She ordered the chocolate mousse with extra whipped cream on top. “How about Amelia and Adam?”
At this point, I was no longer listening. I would have agreed to whatever names she wanted because right now, at that very moment, I had far more pressing matters. My heart was thumping steadily but loudly in my chest. So much so that I was worried she’d be able to hear it.
I patted my suit jacket, reassured by the solid mass hidden inside my pocket.
“Jesse?” Vivian called. “Are you okay?”
“Amelia and Adam,” I echoed. “Sounds great. A winning combo.”
She giggled. “What’s going on, babe? You look either really sick or really excited. I can’t tell in this lighting.”
“Don’t worry, angel. I’m not sick.”
I shifted out of my seat and got down on one knee, producing the ring box from inside my pocket. I opened it, revealing the diamond ring inside.
My first instinct upon walking into the jewelry store was to buy the biggest diamond I could find, but I stopped myself before the pushy saleswoman could hook me in for the sale. It wasn’t the right one, and I knew it deep within my gut.
Vivian wasn’t about the flash. She was humble and kind and caring. I wanted to give her something she could wear with pride, show off to the world without feeling like she was bragging. Because I knew her. I knew she’d appreciate the elegance and simplicity.
The ring was a thin band of white gold with three diamonds sandwiched together, the center one being the largest with the two outer ones slightly smaller. It caught the light beautifully, glistening in my palm.
“Jesse,” she breathed. “Oh my God, is this happening?”
“You are the light of my life,” I said, peering deep into her eyes. “You make me so unbelievably happy that I can’t put it into words. You keep me grounded. You’re my reason for waking up in the morning. You’ve renewed a sense of purpose in me I didn’t even realize was gone until I met you. You’re smart and beautiful and ambitious. You’re headstrong and loyal and the funniest person I’ve ever met. I know that I’m lucky just to know you. And I’d be luckier still if you’d do me the honor of being my wife. Will you marry me?”
“Yes,” she said, so soft I almost didn’t hear her. Her smile was a loud enough response.
I slipped the ring onto her finger and rose to kiss her. Nearby tables applauded politely, but I didn’t pay them any mind. All that I cared about was Vivian.
My future wife.