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I laugh, thinking back to that first class where I met him. “That feels so long ago now. You and Lucca were always causing so much mischief. I couldn’t wait to get to that class to see what new prank you two might have concocted for the day.”
“What’s life without a few surprises, right?” Cassio’s hazel eyes flick up to meet mine, and a spark of anticipation comes to life in my belly.
I don’t know why, but suddenly, I’m tempted to look around and find what mischief he might have planned for the day. Something’s off. Like I’m on the outside of his joke once again–as I had been during those initial months I knew him.
It’s been so many months of being on the inside, knowing his scheming brain, that I’m not quite sure what to do with myself now, though I know him well enough to recognize the signs.
“Your champagne, sir,” our server says, setting a stand next to our table with a champagne bucket full of ice. From his tray, he sets our already open bottle in the bucket to chill, then places a filled glass of bubbly before each of us. With a slight bow, he departs in the same fashion the host had.
“I hope you don’t mind. I ordered the set menu option ahead of time. I thought it might be nice to spend a bit more time… by ourselves,” Cass says playfully.
Then it hits me, and I gawk as I look around the room. “Did you rent this entire space for us?” I ask in shock. I can only imagine how much that might cost.
He chuckles, his eyes lighting. “Maybe.”
“Cass, this is all very sweet, but I might not have even landed the role. You can’t pull something like this every time I go to an audition.”
“Maybe not,” he agrees, shrugging one shoulder casually. “But just this once, I thought it might be fitting.” Picking up his champagne, he toasts me. “To new beginnings. May you find that lead you to your hopes and dreams.”
I raise my glass to clink it gently against his, and I frown as I realize something’s in the bottom of my drink. I gasp as I bring the glass closer to my face, marveling at the ring it holds.
“Is this what I think it is?” I ask breathlessly, astonished by the size of the rock fit into a beautifully intricate band decorated to look like fine lace.
“I hope we get to celebrate this evening for multiple reasons, but I wanted to surprise you and thought I might actually be able to pull it off tonight–even if you knew a proposal was coming–what with the whole betrothal and all,” he explains. “Do you like it?”
“I love it,” I gush. “It’s a perfect surprise. Now the day will be good regardless of whether I get the part.”
Cassio chuckles warmly. “Good. Now drink your drink. I want to make sure you actually like the ring.”
I roll my eyes playfully but do as he says, finishing the short pour of bubbly swiftly so I can extract the ring. I dry it on my napkin, and before I can slide it on my finger, Cassio’s long pianist’s fingers are taking it from me as he lowers onto one knee.
“Bianka Lyusya Popov, you light up my life and remind me every day just how beautiful life can be. You’re devoted, passionate, and inspiring in so many ways. Though we haven’t been dating for that long, I feel I’ve known you for a lifetime, and I’ve loved every moment with you. Will you marry me and let me spend the rest of our lives proving myself worthy of you and all the gifts you so selflessly give me?”
My heart might explode from happiness, and tears sting my eyes at the profession of love that leaves me speechless. I nod, swallowing hard to try and find my voice. “Yes,” I choke around the knot in my throat.
Then I cup his face and lean in to kiss him fiercely. Our lips meet, and warm excitement washes through me, setting my skin to tingling. When we finally pull away, Cassio brushes the backs of his knuckles lightly across my cheek, and I’m surprised to feel moisture there.
“Why are you crying?” he murmurs.
I shake my head, releasing a breathy laugh. “Only you could find a way to make me feel this special.”
“Youarespecial, Bianka. If you only knew just how precious you are to me.”
I press another kiss to his lips before I release him, letting him return to his seat. The food arrives a few minutes later, but I can hardly taste it. I’m brimming with emotion, almost outside my body with joy.
The night is perfect as we laugh and talk, and before I know it, a beautifully presented chocolate cake is set before us with rich purple flowers decorating the plate. Cutting through the moist sponge, I collect my first bite onto my fork, then pause as my phone rings.
Startled by the unexpected interruption, I pause with the fork halfway to my mouth. “I’m sorry. I should have turned it off. I wasn’t thinking,” I say, digging into my purse to find it.
“Well, don’t just silence it,” Cassio insists. “It might be the theater. At least check who it is.”
I smile gratefully and do as he says, pulling my phone out to find an unfamiliar number flashing across the screen. Shrugging to indicate I don’t know who it is, I swipe to answer the call and press the phone to my ear.
“Hello?”
“Hello, Miss Popov?” a woman requests across the line.
“Yes?” My stomach does a somersault.
