Page 62 of The Beach Hut on Plum Island
A soft murmur as the guests whispered to themselves echoed through the room.
“Thank you, Princess Harriet,” Titus said with a laugh. “My niece always was impatient and didn’t like long drawn out speeches.”
Everyone laughed and agreed with Titus.
“Thank you for that,” Harriet said to Titus, shaking her head before glaring at all her friends. “And to all of you who agreed with it.”
“On that note,” Titus said with another laugh. “I’d like to let Finn and Harriet share their news with you all.” He turned and nodded to Finn.
Standing, Finn’s heart thudded like a fish out of water and flapping about violently on dry land. He even felt like he was trying to breathe like a fish out of water as his lungs seemed to compress and refuse to let oxygen in.
Calm down, Finn.He gave himself a talking-to and managed to drag some air into his lungs, and he calmed himself. Still, his hands trembled slightly as he reached into his pocket and felt the velvet box that contained more than just a ring—it held his heart.
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Finn said, his voice steadier than he felt as Harriet stood and joined him. He scanned the faces around the table. All eyes were focused on them and wide with anticipation. Finn took Harriet’s hand, and they smiled at each other. “Harriet and I owe a deep gratitude to all of you.”
“Finn and I are truly blessed to have such close, loving, and supportive friends,” Harriet continued. “When I came to Plum Island, I was a stranger, but now I feel like I’m not only a part of the island but also an extended family.”
Finn and Harriet turned and faced each other. “Harriet, every day since I met you, you’ve managed to steal another piece of my heart.” He moved a stray lock from her forehead and tucked it behind her ear. “I’ve been fascinated by the way you defy traditional expectations and social norms expected of your royal status.” Their eyes locked, and his nervousness fell away, as did the rest of the restaurant. “You are the most independent spirit I’ve ever known. But your loyalty, courage, and heart have blown me away.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out the velvet box, falling to one knee. “Harriet, you have my heart. I’m totallyand utterly in love with you. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
While Finn knew Harriet thought this to be the best performance of his life, he wondered what she would do if she knew every word he’d uttered to her came straight from his heart as it tried to reach out to hers.
The room has long since fallen away as Finn’s words washed over Harriet. She’d almost put her hand over her heart as she felt it was trying to break through her rib cage to get to him. It ached with the beauty of his words, so heartfelt that for a fleeting moment, Harriet had allowed herself to believe they were real. Because even in her wildest fantasies, this was one of the most romantic proposals ever—and Harriet had been in the movie business for a long time.
“Yes!” Harriet responded, her voice carrying a tremor of emotion that mirrored the sincerity in Finn’s eyes.
She hoped he didn’t notice the slight tremor of her hand as he slid the ring onto her finger. Harriet had been so captivated by Finn’s words that she had forgotten where they were until applause erupted around them. Before she could turn to see their friends, Finn stood and pulled her to him for another earth-shattering kiss that stole her breath away. As the room once again faded from her senses, Harriet’s heart cried out to Finn’s soul, hoping it would hear her cry of love and answer with one of its own.
As Finn’s lips captured Harriets, he knew they’d convinced the people around them that their charade had blossomed into something real, and while everyone around them rejoiced, Finnlet himself believe for just a moment it was real. As they slowly drew apart, their eyes met, and the undercurrents of unspoken truths pulsed between them before their friends surrounded them.
The evening continued with laughter and heartfelt congratulations, but both Finn and Harriet remained acutely aware of the performance. With each congratulatory embrace and toast, they were reminded of the line they walked—a line blurred between deception and the hidden truths of their own hearts. As the night wore on, Finn found himself wishing for it to end so he could slip into his own space and sort out the turmoil whirling within him.
Everything went as planned, with Harriet announcing they owed Daniella and Alex. King Titus suggested they pay for the honeymoon. Harriet asked why they didn’t pay Alex to have a bachelor party he had always wanted to have. Dawn added they could give Daniella a bachelorette party at a great island spa she knew in Cyprus. Although Harriet feigned innocence and said she didn’t prompt Dawn to suggest the Cyprus trip, Finn had his doubts but had to agree it was perfect and could benefit their plan.
As the evening wore on, Titus, Harriet’s parents, Gloria, Estelle, and Faith eventually left the restaurant. Carly put on some music, and soon, most of their friends started dancing.
Harriet sat with Dawn and Jennifer while Harley, Liam, and Finn went onto the balcony to talk. Harriet knew what they were talking about, so she kept Jennifer and Dawn occupied.
“So you and Finn are really a couple now?” Dawn asked, a frown marring her brow as her eyes searched Harriets as if looking for the truth.
“We are,” Harriet confirmed. “We knew after our first real kiss.”
“Are you being serious?” Dawn asked, her eyes narrowing even more. “Because I want to believe you because I can see in your eyes you have feelings for Finn. But then again, you’ve had a crush on Finn forever.”
“I think Harriet’s telling the truth,” Jennifer told Dawn with a sly smile. “Harley walked in on them when they were alone and locked in each other’s arms, as he put it.”
“Oh!” Dawn’s brows shot up. “If that’s true and you really are happy,” she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Harriet, “then I’m so happy for you, my friend. You, more than anyone in the world, deserve to be happy.”
“I have to second that,” Jennifer said, raising her wine glass. “To Harriet and Finn, we wish you all the happiness in the world.”
Dawn raised her glass alongside Jennifer, and Harriet managed to push the wave of guilt aside as she knew she wasn’t lying to her friends. She really had fallen in love with Finn. Harriet’s head turned towards where he stood, and her heart sank. She just wished he’d meant everything he’d said during his heartfelt proposal because then Harriet really would be the happiest woman in the world.
“Harriet!” Dawn’s voice snapped her back to her friends. “Wow. You really do have it bad.”
“Sorry, what did you say?” Harriet asked, looking at Dawn and Jennifer’s amused faces.
“We need to plan Daniella’s bachelorette party in Cyprus,” Jennifer repeated what they were saying. “This is so exciting.”
“You do know that the flight is around thirteen hours,” Harriet warned them. “As it’s summer in Britain, we should rather pick a nice spa there. That will take another five to six hours off our trip.”
