“Ditto.” Rhonda stepped forward to give us her well wishes and waved her champagne toward me. “I was stressing Ethan wouldn’t pull it off. But he did. The look on your face was worth it.”
“It was priceless.” Shona veered around her and embraced me. “I knew I loved working with you for a reason. You stay true to yourself and your character. Somehow Ethan pulled it off and Flint...well...anyone who goes to such extremes to propose, gets down on one knee, and confesses his love like that is definitely a keeper. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” I gave her a warm hug, then slid back into Flint’s arms.
Grinning, he kissed me on the temple and murmured softly, “I love you.”
I couldn’t stop smiling. My love for him filled the whole sound stage. I leaned into him, never wanting to let him go. “I love you, forever. But first, where are we going for lunch?”
Sexiness blazed in his gorgeous eyes. “You’ll have to wait and see.”
I didn’t think this day could get any better, and as long as I was with Flint, I didn’t care where we went. “I’m all yours. Lead the way.”
He took hold of my hand and drew me down the corridor. After ducking into my dressing room to grab my purse, we dashed out the door.
I couldn’t wait for my next surprise.
Chapter 5
SUTTON
After flying in the helicopter for forty-five minutes, we landed on the lush green lawn outside a small vineyard just north of Santa Barbara. The host, Barkley, greeted us and we followed him through a gorgeous garden to a private dining area underneath a beautiful wooden pergola. Hundreds of pale pink roses—my favorite flower—and twinkle lights adorned the exposed beams. In the center of the covered area stood a table set in fine white linen and crystal glassware.
Oh my.
“Congratulations.” Barkley grabbed a bottle of champagne out of the ice bucket and popped the cork. He poured two flutes and handed them to us. “We’re honored to host you for lunch today. Please, enjoy your drinks. I will return in fifteen minutes with your first course.”
“Thank you, Barkley.” Flint nodded.
After Barkley disappeared through the garden, Flint took my hand and drew me close. My heart still soared through the clouds. He swept loose strands of my hair behind my ear, then placed a soft kiss against my mouth. As he eased back, sunlight glistened in his ice-blue eyes, and he stole my heart all over again. “I’m glad I surprised you. I thought of every possible wayto propose, from taking you to some romantic place overlooking the city lights, to flying you to somewhere exotic in the world and having a candlelit dinner, to just asking you one night at home, but I wanted something unique. Something a little crazy. Something different. Something all about you. You are so beautiful, Sutt. I can’t imagine life without you. Don’t want to.”
I took a small sip of my champagne and stared at my diamond as it sparkled in the sunlight. I put our glasses on the table, closed the gap between us, and linked my fingers behind his neck. His gorgeous gaze melted my insides. “This has truly blown me away. I’m beyond impressed. You have given me so much I will always be grateful for. A found family. Your unwavering support. Unconditional love. Together, we found our strength, rebuilt our confidence, and breathed new life into our dreams. From our very first date, we set out on a path I’d never expected. Now, I can’t imagine being anywhere else but with you. I can’t wait for the next chapter of our lives. Together. Forever.”
He brushed his thumb down my cheek in featherlight strokes. “Sutt, there are days I still struggle with losing Phil. But I promise I will do everything and anything to keep the darkness at bay. I know I can do that because I have you. Tell me off if I’m ever an asshole, get too depressed, put a foot out of line, or do something stupid. Life isn’t perfect—we both know that. But with you, it’s pretty damn close. I love you. So fucking much. I can’t wait to make you my wife.”
Fresh tears prickled my eyes. My heart swelled to the size of the moon. I was so happy. So lucky. So blessed. “Today was amazing. It was weird and crazy and confusing, but now...it’s perfect.”
“Thank you for saying yes.”
Giggling, I wrinkled my nose. “As if I wouldn’t.”
“True . . . so, I have another big question for you.”
I held my breath. What could he need to ask?
“Do you have any ideas about when and where you’d like to get married?”
“Oh my God,” I threw my head back and laughed. My heart beat so fast, I felt like I was going to explode.I’ll be a bride!“I’d marry you tomorrow if I could.”
“Wecould.” He tugged me closer and wrapped his arms around my waist. “At City Hall. But I know that’s not what you want, Sutt. I want to give you the wedding of your dreams. Anywhere. Anything. At any time.”
“Really?” I arched one eyebrow at him. Devious mischief took hold. “Okay then. I’ve always wanted the fairy tale.” I laid on a dreamy tone. “I’d love to get married at Disneyland. Arrive in a horse-drawn carriage. Have a wedding party of twenty people. Invite hundreds of guests. I want to fill the night sky with fireworks. I want every inch of the venue to be covered in flowers and twinkle lights, and to have big chandeliers sparkling overhead. We’ll hire the best photographers and designers and have an exclusive magazine deal. I’d love a cake so big it touches the ceiling and an ensemble of ten violinists and cellists playing. We’re going to outdo any celebrity wedding that has come before us. I want our day to be the talk of the town for years to come.”
With each item I listed, blood drained from Flint’s face. “Really. Wow. Um...” He swayed on his feet and swallowed hard. “Okay. If that’s what you want.”
“Yes.” I jumped on the spot, ramping up my excitement. “I can picture you and the guys in pale pink top hats and tails. And me in a huge wedding dress fit for a princess with a tiara and a train that is a mile long.”
“Hmmm. Okay.” He closed his eyes and rubbed his furrowed brow. “Anything else?”