Page 279

“It definitely was.”

Before I can answer, Willow taps a spoon against her glass.

“Dinner is ready.”

Everyone moves toward the tables.

Ben catches my hand when I start to follow.

“Wait.”

“What?”

He glances toward the others.

Every person on the deck suddenly becomes fascinated by something other than us.

Storm looks toward the sky.

Ward studies a champagne bottle.

Piers stares at the water with an expression so innocent that I immediately become suspicious.

“You told them something,” I whisper.

Ben lowers himself onto one knee.

My breath disappears.

“Oh.”

“That’s all you have to say?”

“I had more words before you did that.”

He reaches into his pocket.

“You once told me the ocean takes everything.”

“It has taken a lot.”

“It also brought me to you.”

He opens the small velvet box.

Inside is a ring with a deep blue stone surrounded by tiny diamonds.

The sapphire is the same color as the ocean beyond the Golden Gate.

“I can’t promise there won’t be storms,” he says. “I can’t promise my work will never scare you or that I won’t make you furious.”

“You will.”

“I know.”

“Probably often.”

“I’m trying to propose.”