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I whisper something into his ear, and the waiter gives me a quick nod.
When I turn my attention back to Danielle, she is giving me an amused look.
“What? Do I have sauce on my face?”
Danielle shakes her head. “Do you have something you need to do?”
“Actually.” I push my chair back with a screech and stand up. “I do. Come with me.”
I give Brian a meaningful look, and he lingers behind. In silence, I lead Danielle through the double doors of the restaurant, with my hands over her eyes.
After offering the waiter a quick look, the lights flick on.
I remove my hands from around Danielle’s eyes and watch as she takes in the scene.
The overhead lighting is dim and intimate and soft music is playing in the background.
The dining room is empty except for us.
There is a single table in the center of the room. A crystal vase and a red rose adorns it. A crisp white envelope is propped against it.
Danielle twists to face me, a vision in her knee-length black dress and matching heels. She laces her fingers through mine, tugging me forward.
“What’s all of this?”
I nod in the direction of the envelope. “Open it.”
With trembling hands, she reaches for it and runs her fingers along the edge. Then she turns it over, a myriad of emotions playing out across her features.
When she rips it open, I withdraw my hand and get down on my knees. Danielle glances from the envelope to the ring that fell to the floor with a clatter.
Wordlessly, I pick it up and hold it out to her. “I know we haven’t known each other long, but deep down in my heart, I know you’re the one for me.”
Danielle snaps her mouth shut, and the empty envelope falls to the floor with a flutter. “I…are you asking what I think you’re asking?”
I hold the ring up and the tiny diamonds sprinkled along the outer edge of the band glisten and sparkle. “I love you, Danielle Clark. All my life, I’ve been used to women throwing themselves at me. Always wanting something from me but never bothering to get to know the man behind the money, behind the name.”
Danielle’s eyes fill with tears.
“You’re the first woman to ever look at me and not care about any of that. When I’m with you, you make me feel invincible. Like I’m the only man in the world and like nothing could ever be that bad as long as I have you by my side.”
Tears spill down her cheeks. “I love you too, Adrian.”
“I know you’ve been hurt before. I know you’ve been let down, but if you give me a chance, I am going to do everything within my power to make you happy. I am going to do everything I can to make sure you feel loved and cherished and respected. Every single part of you.”
Danielle takes both of my hands in hers. “My answer is yes.”
“I haven’t even asked the question yet,” I tease, my eyes never leaving her face. “How do you know what I’m going to ask you?”
Danielle chokes back a laugh. “Because I know you.”
I take her hand in mine and slide the ring onto her finger. “Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
A slight tremor goes through Danielle as she nods.
“We can’t hear you!”
Danielle’s head snaps up, and she glances over her shoulders at Brian and Savannah, who are standing in the back of the room, smiling at us.
