Page 150 of Until the Sea Runs Dry

She’d been with him every day since that fateful night, but the novelty never went away.

She was head over heels in love with him and couldn’t imagine being happier.

The car stopped by the red carpet. She waited for Logan to open the door. Instead, he turned to Jane.

An expectant hush fell over the car.

“I know we’ve discussed this issue of your name before, but you never made a decision. I think now might be the perfect time to decide who you want to be for the rest of your life.”

Jane was taken aback by the odd timing and couldn’t hide it.

“Now? You want us to resolve this, now? But we’re just about to step out there. The whole world is waiting for you.”

“They won’t mind waiting a little longer. This is more important. I’ve been thinking about this for a while. I don’t think they should call you Jane Smith anymore. It’s not the right name for you.”

Her eyes were as confused as they could be.

“I’m happy with Jane, though. I’ve gotten used to it. I never want to go back to Emily. Emily is gone.”

“Yes, she is,” Clare smiled at her. “But we do need a better surname than ‘Smith.’” Her eyes twinkled as if she was hiding a delicious secret.

“What about Smithington? That’s very regal, like a British duchess?” Nathan suggested, only for Delia to frown.

“Absolutely not. It’s far too stuck up for our Jane.”

“What about Ford, then?” Nathan tried again.

“Classic. Like the car,” Clare grinned mischievously, rolling her eyes.

“I think I’ll pass on being named after a car,” Jane laughed.

“I’ve got it,” Logan said, looking at her with a sudden intensity. “What about Steel? Mrs. Jane Steel? Don’t you think that has a nice ring to it? Speaking of…”

He slipped his hand into his pocket to retrieve a stunning diamond ring that he presented to her. Jane’s eyes went as round as an owl. She looked from the ring to him, to the others, all beaming with breathless anticipation. Even Loki seemed to be holding his breath.

Logan kneeled onto the floor, taking her hand in his.

“From the moment I met you, you have changed my life. I don’t care where you came from, or even what name you want to go by, so long as I can call you my wife. Marry me, Jane. Make me the happiest man alive.”

“Of course I’ll marry you!”

He slid the ring onto her shaking left hand as tears of joy misted her eyes. The brilliant 18 carat diamond flared dramatically from the flashlight of Clare’s phone as she snapped a photograph to immortalize the moment. Logan dove in for a kiss that left Jane breathless, as cheers erupted, spurring Loki to howl in excitement.

“We could just skip this, you know?” Logan suggested, inclining his head at the chaos outside. “Go straight to celebrating our engagement privately?”

“I did not hear you say that,” Delia opined in a stern mother voice that didn’t belie the sparkle in her eyes.

“Somehow, I think you’ll be missed if we do that,” Jane replied even though there was a tug in her body that hoped for it to be possible.

Going straight home and foregoing the craziness to celebrate in bed did sound even more fun than walking the red carpet, but for one thing.

“You’ve worked hard on this movie, Logan. You deserve this moment. Besides, we can celebrate them both at the same time.”

The smile that spread over his face made her weak at the knees.

“That is a wonderful idea.” He flung open the door to instant mayhem.

The crowd roared with excitement, surging against the barriers that held them in place. Jane was blinded by a million flashes, her vision momentarily lost to them.

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