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“Half a mile downhill from the Cypress View Point. Only this is private property, and the entire development is going to be gated and secured.”
“When did all this happen? You never said a word.”
“It wouldn’t be a surprise if I’d told you about it, would it?” Simon sat beside me and held my hand. “What do you think?”
I rubbed my chin, fighting a flood of emotions. “I don’t think I can do this.”
“Do what?” Simon sounded wounded.
I felt guilty at not swooning at his grand gesture, but it raised feelings that were impossible to hide. “I can’t live here. I never wanted this. I’m sorry. This must be some of the last land that’s ever going to be released on this mountain. I can’t imagine how much it cost.”
I didn’t want to tell him how it saddened me to see that mighty forest tumbled and the mountain scarred. All so that rich people like him, like us really, could see the view from our multimillion-dollar homes.
“The price is no object. I can afford it. You know that.”
A chill ran down my back as I realized that the conversation that we needed to have, right then, right there, was going to be one of the most difficult ever. He’d saidIcan afford it. First person singular, as if his opinion was the only one that mattered.
He sat in the camping chair next to me and held my hand, waiting for me to speak.
It took a few minutes for me to choose a starting point. “If we’re getting married, shouldn’t we be talking about things like where we’re going to live? Or will you be making all the decisions for both of us?”
“I thought you loved it up here.”
“I do. I love visiting up here. I like seeing the crowds at the View Point. Living up here has no appeal. I’d be a princess locked in a tower. I’d have to drive every time I wanted to meet a friend for coffee or pick up milk.”
Simon dropped my hand. “I didn’t think of it that way.”
“I know—which is why I want to be part of the decision-making process, especially when it comes to things like where and how we’re going to live.” I got out of my chair and knelt in front of him, snuggling between his knees and wrapping my arms around his waist. Pine needles and small stones dug into my knees, but I ignored their bite.
“I love you. I must. I’ve even agreed to obey you. When I can.” I allowed myself a small smile. “But more important than that, I want to be part of a partnership, not some living breathing doll that hangs on your arm and simpers at the gifts you bestow.” I sat back on my heels so I could see his face.
Simon drained his glass. “I wasn’t trying to impress you with gifts, I was trying to plan for our future, show you that I want a life with you, that I’ll never get tired of you.” It was his turn for a small smile. “And yeah, I want you to have the best of everything, whatever your heart desires.”
“As long as I’m with you, I will have all I need. But now it’s like the tables have turned. You’re the one spending money like a drunken sailor, starting with the Louboutins after only one date. Then there was that amazing employment contract that made Angie’s eyes pop out. In Sydney, you gave me this insanely expensive engagement ring without even asking me if I wanted such a lavish thing. For the record, it makes me nervous to wear it. Every time I wear it out in public, I expect to get mugged.”
He opened his mouth to say something, but I put a finger on his lips.
“Please let me finish, or I’ll lose my nerve. Bringing me up here for a picnic at this hour is the sweetest gesture. I love you, and I love being here with you. But once again I’m overwhelmed by the magnitude of your wealth, and how much you’re prepared to lay down for something you think I want. Only this is over the top. You saw the humble neighborhood where I grew up, and you know where I live in Vancouver. I’m a city girl. I like living in a vibrant neighborhood where I can easily walk to a café or grocery store. Up here I’d be in a foreign world, a world not of my choosing.”
“So tell me what you want, and let’s see if I can meet you halfway.”
“I want you. I want to be with you. I don’t want masses of expensive presents. What do I want? I want to take TripleR3 to market. I’ve worked hard on it this past month, despite all the distractions. It’s ready to go to the QA testers now.”
“QA testers?”
I closed my eyes for a minute. There was so much that Simon didn’t know about game development.
“Quality assurance testers. Gamers who try to break the game, find any glitches or bugs.”
“How long does that take?”
“Months. Until the last tester can’t find anymore weaknesses in it. Then we’ll start the marketing stage and that’s another challenge.”
“We? What do you want from me in that process?”
“I don’t know what you can do but I’m sure Ronnie will have some helpful ideas and good connections.”
“You don’t want anything from me?”
