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This response is a bit much.
It was only when the spotlight turned away from her that she discovered the reason for the crowd’s enthusiasm. Cameron Lumley had taken the stage. Shaking the CEO’s hand, he grabbed the microphone. Then, her elegant, handsome boyfriend flashed his movie star smile. “Good evening.”
Even though his family ran the foundation, he had no reason to be on stage right then. He might not run events, but he sure was an impressive sight. His custom-made suit hugged his broad shoulders and muscular thighs while his commanding presence captured the attention of everyone in the room. “On behalf of my family, I’d like to thank you all for your support this evening. As you know, the charity is my life’s work, so it’s only fitting that the woman who owns my heart now plays such a central role in it.”
Surprise jolted her.
I own hisheart?
They’d been together a while, but they hardly had some grand love affair. Not even close.
What’s he going on about?
Her parents moved to stand on either side of her, enormous smiles stretching across their faces.
Cameron extended a hand. “Darling, please come up here.”
She almost shoutedWhy?She didn’t need to get up on stage. The band should start playing, and the patrons should go back to dancing. That was the order of events.
Her mum took the champagne flute out of her hand. “Don’t just stand there.”
With all eyes on her, what choice did Phinny have? But while her brain sent the signal to her legs, they refused to cooperate. A wave of nausea hit, and she went hot all over.
Her stepfather set his hand on the small of her back and gave her a nudge. “Go on now. Don’t embarrass us.”
That got her moving. As the crowd parted, she made her way to the steps. On some level, she knew what was happening, but her mind was racing, and she couldn’t think clearly.
Please don’t do this.
We’re nowhere near ready for this.They’d grown up together but had only begun dating during their last year at university.
Casuallydating.
Cameron stood center stage, while the CEO reached for her hand and helped her up the stairs. It was hard enough to move in her ball gown and shapewear bodysuit, but with her legs shaking, she moved like a newborn foal.
Which was fitting since her heart was positivelygalloping.
“Darling…” Cameron reached for her hand, kissing her palm.
And then, he dropped to a knee.
In the middle of the grandest charity event of the year, her boyfriend—emphasis onfriend—was about to propose. “I have loved you my entire life, but it was only when I saw you coming out of Trinity Hall that I knew it was time to start our future together. Every day has gotten better, and I can’t wait to spend my life with you. Seraphina, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
With the audience’s collective gasp, the air was sucked out of the room.
She couldn’t breathe. Blood roared in her ears, and her vision blurred around the edges.
In the silence, she had the strangest sensation of floating. She could picture herself grabbing a handful of helium balloons and drifting off the stage, out the window, and sailing over the rooftops of London.
Cameron’s smile faltered, and it jerked her back to the moment. She couldn’t embarrass him. “Yes. Of course, yes.”
Relief washed over his handsome features, and he stood to his full height. He wrapped an arm around her and faced the ballroom, raising their clasped hands as though she were a trophy.
In the middle of the audience, Phinny found her parents. She’d never seen them so happy.
But why? The moment felt surreal. She’d never gushed about him to her parents. Never once talked about marriage or babies or any kind of future with him. They were two people from similar backgrounds who had fun together.We’re just dating.
Marriage?
