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“Let me get this straight. The fireworks are for me because of a fictional scale I made up on the fly?” she asked as pops of light rained into the lake.
He nodded.
Was he crazy to do this?
Maybe.
But he had to make her understand what she meant to him.
She peered into the sky. “They’re beautiful. I’ve always had a thing for fireworks. I’m sorry I almost ripped your head off.”
“I was more concerned for my balls.”
“Those were next,” she quipped, but there was no bite to her bark. “No one has ever…” She trailed off as a ribbon of shimmery purple faded into the night.
“No one has ever bribed the local authorities to send a man onto a boat loaded with explosives and shoot them off from mini cannons?”
She laughed and shook her head. “You bribed local officials?”
“I donated a substantial amount to a local arts program. After that, the city officials were happy to accommodate my request. They’re kind of crazy about me around here. Anything else you want? A lifetime supply of cannolis? I can make it happen,” he teased.
“This is plenty, and I love it.” She glanced around. “Should we sit and watch the show? Is this the secret mushy-gushy location Aria mentioned?”
“Almost.” He took her hand and led her to the end of the dock. With his niece’s help, he’d covered the wood planks with blankets, pillows, and flower petals. Aria had the idea to grab a few candles from the villa to round out the romantic snuggle spot. He set the pastry box to the side and removed a packet of matches from his pocket as the sky shimmered above them.
Harper gazed at the sparkling scene, then picked up a throw pillow.“What’s this for?”
He lit the candles as the fireworks showered the heavens with shimmering light. “Isn’t it obvious?”
“No.” She held the pillow to her chest as if she were guarding her heart.
He helped her to the ground, then wrapped his arm around her.
“I’m devoted to making you happy, Harper.”
She stroked his cheek. “Is that so?”
He nodded. “And there’s more.”
“More?” she breathed.
He tensed as the familiar shameful fear he’d carried for as long as he could remember settled like a knot in his belly.
Ignore it.
Tell her what’s in your heart.
“You make me better, Harper. There’d be no new music—no new sound without you. I’ll keep my promise to Trey and Leighton because of you.”
“Is that all?” she asked, injecting a dash of her trademark sass, but she couldn’t fool him. Her eyes shined with tears every time the sky came alive with color.
“No, that’s not all.”
His heart pounded.
Say the words.
His lips parted just as a splash of hot pink points of fiery light formed a heart.
