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“Just put your hair up in a bun. That always looks cute.”
She sighed but ultimately relented. “Yeah, you’re right. Just let me finish up this last bit of paperwork. I’ll be ready in five.”
I grinned, leaning down and giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.
I held Zoe’s handas we walked down a little cobblestone street. It was lined with small shops and cafes, each one unique and charming. There were strings of lights strung from building to building, casting a warm glow over everything.
The air was filled with the scent of spices and cooking, and there was a sense of excitement and energy as live bands played in the surrounding bars. It was a perfect night for romance.
As we walked, I noticed her eyes lighting up as she took in the sights. She had always been adventurous, and this place seemed to be right up her alley.
“It’s so pretty,” she breathed, shaking her head in disbelief. “I can’t believe I’ve never been here before.”
I squeezed her hand. “Well, I’m glad I get to be the one to show you.”
We continued walking, until finally we came to a stop in front of a small cafe, its windows glowing with light. The sign above itread “Cafe de la Lune.” It was an intimate little spot, perfect for a romantic evening.
“This is it,” I said, smiling down at Zoe.
Her eyes lit up as she took in the sight. “Wow. It’s beautiful.”
“Come on. Let’s go inside.”
We stepped through the door into a cozy space filled with soft music and the scent of delicious food. The tables were set with candles and flowers, and the atmosphere was warm and welcoming.
We were greeted by a hostess who I had spoken to earlier about my plans. She gave me a knowing smile and led us toward the back of the cafe, to the patio where my surprise awaited Zoe.
The hostess held the door open as Zoe stepped outside to see three familiar faces: Baptiste, Annabelle, and Grandma Violet. Zoe gasped in shock, her eyes widening as she looked between the three of them. They were all dressed in their Sunday best, and there was a table set up with candles and a bottle of wine right in the middle of them.
“What is this?” Zoe asked, looking back up at me with a big smile.
“A celebration,” Baptiste replied, grinning at her. “You’ve accomplished so much, Zoe. We wanted to show you how proud we are of you.”
Annabelle nodded, smiling warmly at her best friend. “You’ve worked hard, and we know you’ll keep doing great things.”
Grandma Violet grinned mischievously at us, winking. “You don’t know how many people I had to bribe to make my escape attempt for tonight!”
Zoe laughed, but it didn’t seem like she was quite buying the story that we were all gathered together just to celebrate her success.
That was when I got down on one knee, holding out the antique ring that Grandma Violet had given me for this occasion.
Zoe let out a loud gasp, and she stared at me in disbelief. “Lucian… Is that Grandma’s wedding band?”
I held back a laugh, amazed she still wasn’t getting it. “Zoe Dupont,” I said, smiling up at her. “My dearest chef, you barged unexpectedly into my life when I thought myself doomed to be alone. With boundless heart and courage, you saw beyond my monstrous exterior. We withstood infernos side-by-side and emerged stronger together. I cannot imagine going a day without your fire, your laughter, your spirit.” I then concluded, “Zoe, will you marry this old hellhound, and make him the happiest man alive?”
She let out a sob of joy, tears streaming down her face as she nodded. “Yes! Yes, of course!”
I slipped the ring onto her finger, and she threw herself into my arms, kissing me deeply. The others cheered and clapped, happy for us both.
After a few minutes of celebration, Baptiste cleared his throat. “Now that you’re engaged,” he said with a grin, “let’s eat some food! I’m starving!”
We all laughed and took our seats at the table, enjoying a delicious meal together as we celebrated our love. It was truly a magical night, one that all of us would remember.
As the night came to an end, Zoe and I stood outside the cafe, looking up at the moon. It was full tonight, shining brightly in the sky. We held each other close, our bodies pressed together as we gazed up. The air was filled with the scent of flowers from the nearby gardens, and there was a sense of peace and contentment between us.
“This has been the best night of my life,” Zoe said, her eyes shining with love and happiness.
I nodded, smiling down at her. “Mine too.”
