Page 49 of Deal Breaker
“Dinner will be served shortly.” The server disappeared after he’d poured our drinks.
My mouth watered as I wondered what we’d have. Now I didn’t regret skipping the muffin with my afternoon latte.
A few moments later, the server reappeared with the entrees, a selection platter of hors d’oeuvres, including tuna tartar, tiny chicken quesadillas, and vegetable skewers. It took all my willpower not to shove the mini bites into my mouth all at once. Max, in comparison, picked at them, eating around two to my six. It wasn’t like him not to eat.
“Are you feeling okay?” I asked, when the platter was taken away. “You didn’t eat much.”
He took a large swig of champagne, then emptied the remains of the bottle into his empty glass. “I’m fine. It’s just…”
Anything else he was about to say got lost as the main course arrived, a beef Wellington with seasonal vegetables and a red wine jus. The meat was so tender, it melted in my mouth. I barely spoke as I ate, savoring each mouthful. It was as good as any of the fancy restaurants we’d been to in New York.
The suspicions I’d had about Max wanting to leave me returned, despite the venue and the fancy setting. He didn’t say a word, the silence between us palpable. Was he building up to break up with me? My fork dropped to the plate with a clatter. Max jumped.
“Soph? You okay?”
“No. No, I’m not.” I placed the knife down more quietly and took a fortifying sip of the delicious Malbec we’d been served. “You’re being weird. And you’ve been being weird for weeks now. Autumn said—”
“What did Autumn say?” His eyes widened, like he’d been rumbled and whatever bad stuff was going on, he was ready to admit it and break my heart into a million pieces.
I took a deep breath. “She said you weren’t going to leave me. But I’m not so sure. You’ve been acting shady, and it worries me.” My hand trembled as I replaced the wine glass on the table.
Max let out a hard breath, followed by a deep laugh.
I frowned. It wasn’t exactly the reaction I’d expected when I’d accused him of seeing someone else.
“For once, Autumn has managed to keep a secret. And in some ways, makes it a lot easier for me to say what I want to say, or rather what I want to ask you.”
My breath hitched, my vision suddenly clouding with tears in anticipation of what he might be about to ask.
Across the other side of the table, Max pushed his chair back and stood up, before moving around to my chair.
I swallowed, a shiver shimmering down my spine despite the heat.
When Max dropped to one knee, I couldn’t stop the tears from falling, my fingers going to my mouth. He dipped his hand into the pocket of his pants and pulled out a small, square duck egg-blue Tiffany box.
“Sophie Hale, would you do me the absolute honor of agreeing to marry me?” He flipped open the lid. Nestled inside the black velvet was the most beautiful diamond and platinum engagement ring. It was classy, simple,perfect.
A squeal escaped my lips, and I bent down to Max, threw my arms around his neck and kissed him so hard, we almost toppled over.
“Shall I take that as a yes?” He held me close, burying his nose into my hair, lips pressed against my temple.
Tears fell unheeded down my cheeks. “Yes! Yes, a million times yes!”
A cough behind us broke the moment. The server had returned with another bottle of champagne. “I take it the proposal was successful, sir?”
Max pulled me to my feet, wrapping one arm around my waist. “It certainly was, thank you.”
“Then I shall pour your drinks. Congratulations, miss.” He shot me a grin, but it wasn’t as wide as the one currently splitting my face.
“Let’s see if it fits.” Max pulled the ring from the box. Shakily, I extended my left hand, and Max slid the band over my knuckle.
It fit perfectly.
Exactly like we did.
I stared at myfiancé. The word felt so alien to me, yet felt so right.
Max’s eyes shone with unshed tears of his own as he grasped my hand.
