AllFreeNovel
Share Us
His grin is secretive and a little smug. “It’s open for us, Jules.”
He pulls me behind him, winding through the roped-off sections marking the non-existent line, and we halt at the front.
“Good evening, Mr. Montgomery. Your gondola is waiting.”
“Thank you.” Cash nods at the ride attendant, and the college-aged guy manning the front lets us pass. Cash gestures for me to step into the gondola first, and the instant I do, my stomach drops in a mixture of nervousness and exhilaration.
This is different from the last one we rode on all those weeks ago. The floor is glass, and four leather seats replace the two benches. I settle into one of the seats facing the skyline, and Cash takes the other. The gondola glides upward, carrying us away from the glimmering water. The lights from the city ripple at the edge of the bay, creating a black mirror for the ferries coming and going.
“It’s breathtaking,” I say, my focus drawn to the emerging skyline. Soft pop music comes through hidden speakers, creating a romantic ambience.
“It certainly is.”
The huskiness of his voice draws my gaze. In the blue glow from the wheel, his eyes have never appeared so liquid—like melted silver.
“Jules, I have something I need to ask you.”
A furrow forms between my brows. “What is it?”
He’s so serious, and my brain is speeding down the roadway of what-ifs, wondering if this could be about the baby, or us moving in together. He hasn’t brought it up again since the day Monica ended up in the hospital, but I know he’s already put the penthouse up for sale.
We reach the very top and come to a standstill in the breeze. Cash shifts, and the gondola swings with the movement. I suck in a breath from the unexpected motion, then I let it out in a stunned huff as he drops to his knees and presents a white box in the palm of his hand. He flips the lid open, and I’ve never seen such a beautiful piece of jewelry. The marquise diamond sparkles in brilliance, centered in a rose gold tulip setting.
“Oh, my God.” I meet his gaze, finding so much hope and love there that my composure shatters. Hot tears fall from my eyes, and I’m pretty sure my heart has stopped beating.
“Will you marry me?”
As if I could ever say no.
“Yes!”
His joy overflows from every part of him; the gleam in his eyes, the press of his lips to mine, the way he winds his arms around me and squeezes the breath from my lungs.
“God, you’ve made me the happiest, luckiest guy on the planet.” He slips the ring onto my finger.
This moment is surreal.
Magical.
And that’s when the lights go out.
I glance up in alarm. “What’s happening?”
“Shh,” he whispers, placing his finger against my lips. “I arranged to have the lights shut off.”
“There’s no one else on this ride, is there?”
“No. It’s just you and me, Jules.”
“You did this all for me?”
“Does that surprise you?”
His question has the power to make me examine my insecurities, and I want so badly to shelf them for good. “I guess it does.”
“It shouldn’t. You’re worth this and so much more. I want to give you everything.” He pulls me to my feet, hands steady on my shoulders as the gondola sways beneath us.
“We’re not supposed to stand,” I say, voice jittery with nerves.
