Page 51 of Tangled Up In You

“What does that mean?” She knew there was an edge of irritation in her voice that came off as petulance. The romance of last night had been an incredible high and now it was like crash-landing into banal reality.

“I was on the phone earlier, before you got up, with our business manager. She’s helping me sort this out.”

Sophie stopped walking, now completely confused. “What are you even talking about, Gavin?”

He laughed. “Listen, darlin’, I’m told this is the place to get what we need. And they’re willing to open up early for us.”

She looked at the gray stone building in front of them on this manicured street. The fact that it was Tiffany & Co. didn’t register. Had he really dragged her out here to get a gift for his business manager?

“I don’t?—”

“We are here, sweet girl,” he said slowly, emphatically, “to pick a ring.”

She took in a quick breath, feeling both thrilled and stupid. How had she managed to mangle this incredible gesture?

Gavin stroked her cheek. “I heard what you said last night, Sophie,” he said. “And I know what you mean. I know how scary this all seems. You and I have spent years apart and it’s fair to worry that we don’t know each other anymore. The thing is, I have no doubt that I love you. I love you for what you were and I know I’ll love you for what you’ve become. I absolutely want to marry you. What do you say?”

Wiping at the tear escaping her eye, Sophie smiled. “You sure know how to sweep a girl off her feet.”

Gavin laughed and kissed her. Pressing his forehead to hers, he whispered, “Will you marry me, Sophie?”

“Yes,” she whispered back.

Inside the store,there were four employees and they all had their eyes trained on them. Sophie smiled and said hello but the enormity of their task—finding that one ring to last a lifetime—was daunting.

“Just breathe,” Gavin murmured to her, squeezing her hand.

She looked at him, relieved that he could read her. His hand was warm and reassuring.

A lovely saleswoman with a calm way about her took control then, showing them the various bands, settings, and cuts to choose from while also casually questioning Sophie about her own personal style.

Though the glittering jewelry was mesmerizing and she adored admiring all the options, Sophie quickly realized that the one setting that most pleased her was the classic Tiffany.

“Let’s size you, then,” the saleswoman said. She quickly established Sophie’s ring size and pulled a solitaire diamond set on platinum out of a glass case. “Gavin, why don’t you help Sophie with this?” She handed him the engagement ring.

Sophie looked at him and smiled, tickled by the fact that he was about to put a ring on her finger that held so much promise for their future.

“Shall I make a speech?” he asked with a smile.

“You’ve already made a couple of amazing speeches,” she said.

He toyed with the ring for a moment before dropping down on one knee.

“Sophie Michelle Kavanaugh,” he said and tears filled her eyes. “I’ve broken your heart in the past. I never want to do that again. But if I do, I promise you that I will always mend it. I will be the one for you, just as you are the one for me. I love you fiercely, desperately, absolutely. Marry me, sweet girl, and make me whole.”

“I’ll marry you again and again and again,” she said, smiling through her tears.

He slid the ring onto her finger and kissed the back of her hand before standing.

As they kissed, the store employees applauded softly.

“Will we always have an audience for special moments like this?” she whispered.

“Welcome to my world, darlin’. It’s a wild ride, but we’ll make it through together.”

She had no doubt about it.

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