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Just as I'm about to talk, a voice shouts, “Three hundred thousand," from the back of the hall.
The voice is one I recognize from my dreams, asleep and awake. It's the voice of my husband.
Hunter walks up to the middle of the hall, and everyone looks at him.
I'm so happy to see him here at my event, that my brain slows to process that he just bid so much money.
"Three fifty," calls the man from the front, snapping the magical connection of seeing Hunter.
"One million," Hunter replies with a wide smile as he continues down the aisle toward the stage.
My mouth drops and a rush of shocked whispers erupts across the room.
Hunter, in true Hunter style, walks onto the stage and up to me as if he owns the world. I'm so stunned, I just stare back at him.
He takes the bottle of wine and the microphone from me, then he holds up the wine like a trophy and declares, "One million from me, and another million as a donation from Le Blanche Global. Consider it my first charitable act as CEO of the company."
My hands fly up to my cheeks and my breath stalls.
Hunter looks back at the audience. "I trust no one will outbid me?" He looks around again, and of course, no one is going to outbid two million.
"Well, then, sold to me," he declares, and people start clapping. "I take great pleasure in supporting my wife on her first event for Aspire. I'm so proud of the work she's done here, and I know she would've made her mother proud, too."
A chorus of more cheers rumbles throughout the hall, and my heart soars with the deepest gratitude.
"Thank you," I breathe, and he leans forward to kiss me. The press who are here to cover the event snap pictures of us.
Hunter pulls back and raises the microphone again to his mouth. “I apologize for stealing the host. She and I will be enjoying this wine on our honeymoon.”
People laugh and continue clapping, then Emily walks onto the stage and Hunter hands her the microphone.
When she winks at me and smiles, I realize she knew all along that he was coming.
What a nice surprise. I don't often like surprises, but this is one I'll always remember.
"Come on, let's go, Bellissima," Hunter says, extending his hand to take mine. I take it and allow him to lead me off the stage.
We head in the opposite direction so we get off backstage.
Once we reach the stairs, I tug on his hand, and we stop. "You're here," I say. "You're here, and you just bid two million dollars on a bottle of wine?”
“For you,” he replies.
“For me?”
“I knew how important this event was for you, and you wanted to raise the money for a great cause. So, here I am. I came because it was important to you."
A tear slides down my cheek, and he catches it. I stare back at him and realize there's no point guarding my heart when I've already fallen in love with this man.
Emotion grips me, and I throw my arms around him, hugging him hard.
"Oh, Hunter. This means everything to me."
"I thought it would," he whispers into my ear.
I release him, and we kiss again. Kissing him now is as effortless and natural and as easy as breathing.
He touches my face and smiles. "Come on. If we don't hurry, we'll be late."
