Page 28 of Little Gray Dress

“Yay!” I start tossing clothes into my suitcase, not forgetting the dress and my highest of high heels that make me stand at least above Jack’s shoulders when wearing them.

It takes Jack and me all of an hour to pack our cases, and we speed through the mountains to Lincoln City. Normally when we come we stay in tiny motels or cool little bed and breakfasts, but when Jack pulls up to the entrance of the most expensive hotel in the town, my heart does a tiny pitter-patter as I imagine a fancy life I never say I want.

“We’re staying here?”

“Yup.”

“We never stay here.”

“I know, I thought it would be a nice change.” He grabs my hand and walks me into the hotel, then chats with the woman behind the counter as I gawk at the fancy interiors. Everything is shiny and new with a modern sleek design. White flowers are on every counter and neon blue lights are under every eave.

“Wow, we’re on the eleventh floor? Is there a balcony?” Jack knows my only requirement when staying at the beach is a balcony overlooking the ocean. I could spend hours sitting there, reading, or just watching the ocean. It’s mesmerizing.

“There is. I have a reservation in the restaurant in an hour so let’s dress up.” He flashes a sly smile as we walk out of the elevator and towards room 1124.

I admit, I’m getting a little curious as to why he’s going to all this trouble? It’s not like Jack to be so secretive. That’s part of what I love about him. I never have to wonder what he’s up to, he normally tells me up front. This time though… it’s like he’s hiding something from me. If I let myself go to what I think it might be, I’ll really be nervous. I’m sure it’s some kind of bad omen to expect what I think it is. If there is anything I’ve learned from watching far too many romantic comedies, it’s not to expect a proposal.

“What did you plan, Mr Cabot? Should I be nervous?”

“Not at all. I just wanted to do something special for you since I’ve been working all the time lately. It’s only fair.” The room door beeps and pops open.

“Whoa…” We walk into a sitting room bigger than our living room, with a floor-to-ceiling window looking out at the sunset. There is a big TV on one wall and a plush couch on the other. A pair of French doors opens to a king-sized bed facing yet another wall of windows and I spot the balcony stretching across both rooms.

“Jack this is… expensive.” I know Jack comes from money but he doesn’t normally live the fancy, rich life that he could if he wanted. He’s more down-to-earth and laid-back than that. This is extravagant and way out of the ordinary. Something is definitely up.

“Worth it.” He leans down and kisses my lips then tosses his bag onto the bed, unpacking everything and putting his things into the empty drawers in the dresser against the wall. “Get dressed.” He slaps me on the butt, waking me from my trance.

I plug in my curling iron and do long loose waves in my hair. Pull on my dress and slip on my heels. A quick touch up of the makeup and I’m ready.

“OK…”

When I walk out of the bathroom door I am stunned. I thought I was quick getting ready but from the looks of this place it took me a lot longer than I thought. On the balcony, there is a table set for two: candles, covered plates, and wine. “How did you—”

“Madam, sir.” A man in a tuxedo is directing me to my chair near where Jack is standing.

“Who’s this?” I ask Jack, unsure of exactly what is going on. I swear it was just twenty minutes ago I was standing here staring at the ocean, but now there is a full-out dinner and waiter in our room.

“This is Elliott, he’s our chef and waiter for the evening.” Jack pulls my chair out for me like the gentleman he is.

“You hired a private chef?”

“I did.” He grabs the wine bottle and pours us each a glass of wine, pink in color. “I also instructed him to bring dessert first, because I know how you love eating cake for dinner.” He laughs as he sets the wine back in the bucket. “But first…” He walks over and pulls opened one of the dresser drawers he just laid all his clothes in, and pulls out a small blue box with a bright white bow.

Oh my God. It’s a tiny gift box! Tiny as in the size of a small piece of jewelry. Holy shit. I was right, he was up to something. This is it, Ems. He’s proposing. How did he keep this a secret until right now? I can’t believe this is happening! Is it wrong that I want to call Lily right this second?

“I wanted to give you this.” He hands me the box and pulls his chair over near mine. “Open it.”

“What did you do?” I ask him, pulling the bow off and lifting the lid off the box to reveal a white jewelry box the perfect size for a ring. “Is this—” Thank God he can’t hear the squealing going on in my head right now.

Before I can finish, Jack takes the box, moves his chair, and kneels beside me opening the ring box.

“I know you didn’t want me to do this in a public place with a room full of strange eyes watching such a private moment, so here we are, in one of your favorite places, and I just have one question…” He smiles at me and pulls the ring out of the box before taking my left hand in his. “Will you do me a favor, and spend forever making me this happy?”

“Oh my God!” I can’t contain the squeal any longer and jump out of my chair, knocking Jack back and causing the ring to fall to the floor. “Oh no!” I kneel on the floor with him and search for the ring that is thankfully tumbling towards the bed and not the edge of the balcony. Jack spots it first, laughing as he collapses to the floor to reach it.

“Marry me?” He says it through a laugh, both of us now on the floor, me in tears.

“Of course,” I yell at him as he slides the gorgeous 3-carat ring onto my third finger. I wrap my arms around his neck and stare at the ring over his shoulder for a moment. “I can’t believe you did all this!”

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