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“I think we’ll manage, won’t we, Anna?” Angelo asked, winking at her.
“As long as I have you I can manage anything. Where’s Zach?”
“He’s been shanghaied, and he’s shooting me a look,” Emma replied, glancing across the lobby. “I think he needs rescuing. Excuse me.”
Zach was often waylaid by eager writers and agents. If he glanced in her direction and put his hand in his pocket, he wanted her to step in. Making her way through the crowd and reaching his side, she broke into the conversation.
“Zach, excuse me for interrupting, but I need you and it can’t wait.”
“I’m sorry, John,” Zach said politely “Apparently I have to go, but call my office and we’ll set up an appointment.”
“Sure, thanks, Zach, I will,” the earnest agent said gratefully. “Thanks for your time.”
“Will you?” Emma asked discreetly as they moved away.
“I said I’d meet with him, and you know I keep my word.”
“No kidding,” she said ruefully. “You didn’t have to spank me quite so hard before we left.”
“You have to be on your best behavior tonight.”
“Because?”
“Because I have a surprise for you, and if you aren’t a very good girl I could change my mind.”
Emma’s heart skipped.
“Please don’t keep me in suspense. At least give me a hint.”
“Not here, it’s private.”
“Then let’s find a quiet corner. Please, Zach, please?” she begged, gazing up at him with doe eyes. “You shouldn’t have said anything if you weren’t going to tell me.”
“I know why your father spoiled you so much,” he murmured with a grin.“There are times you make it impossible to say no. Let’s go up to the balcony.”
Except for the mixologists behind the bar, the upstairs lobby was empty, and guiding her into the balcony seats, he led her up to the back row.
“Do you realize it’s been a year since we spent that amazing weekend at the Bel Air Hotel?” he asked as they sat down.
“Yes, I do, and I’m so happy you remembered. I was going to bring it up later. It’s a year to the day we had that amazing dinner and I suggested we book a room.”
“The best suggestion you’ve ever made, and this is to commemorate the event,” he said, reaching into his pocket. “I hope you’ll accept it.”
She watched, butterflies fluttering in her stomach, as he pulled a black velvet drawstring bag from his pocket and handed it to her. Reaching inside she felt something cold and solid.
“A key!” she exclaimed, lifting it out. “Are you asking me to move in?”
“Yes, but it comes with a condition.”
“Don’t you mean a catch?” she quipped with a wink, as his hand disappeared inside his jacket. “Are you about to show me a new pair of handcuffs?”
“In a way,” he said softly, but his expression had suddenly become serious.
“Zach...?” she whispered, her heart abruptly skipping.
“Emma, I love you more than I can possibly say,” he began, producing a small, maroon velvet box and lifting the lid. “I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy.”
Gazing down at a glittering diamond surrounded by rubies, her heart leapt, and unexpected tears spilled from her eyes.
