4. Enrique
Chapter 4
Enrique
D inner was amazing, everything we sampled was top notch. I can say Halo has earned its reputation. All of those delicious morsels, however, feel as if they’re stuck in my esophagus. I don't know if it's because Halo is such a beautiful place that seeing my love in its ambience makes me want to always strive to give her the best things in life or something else entirely. I don’t doubt my love or commitment to Emily, this dinner is just a reminder that marriage is a huge commitment.
I've planned for this but am far more nervous than I expected. To hide my sweaty palms, I’ve found reasons not to hold her hand throughout dinner. I’ve consumed more water in the last hour than I have all day since fear has my mouth and throat dry. I’ve imagined this moment for a long time but it’s terrifying now that it’s here.
Dessert is approaching and I have yet to conjure the words necessary to make Emily mine forever. I should be bursting with sonnets or other romantic shit to say yet they escape me. I don’t need an entire speech in my head but I should have been able to land on a sentence to begin the proposal.
Fuck, I should have written something in advance.
As I take my next sip for water, I force myself to tune in to what she’s saying. Emily wraps her delicate fingers around my wrist, her thumb rubs my pulse point-something she does when she thinks my mind is drifting-and gives me a soft smile.
My body relaxes as we hold eye contact. I was overthinking again. Emily seems to bring me out of it every time. It makes me love her even more.
“I love you,” I tell her to start with the obvious.
Emily’s smile grows as she returns the sentiment. This is the moment, we’re completely in tune with each other as soft music plays in the romantic space. I like how each table has their own lighting because it makes my angel glow.
I didn’t plan anything crazy like putting the ring in her food or champagne; I’m going for a classic proposal. I wouldn’t have picked such a public place; I prefer intimate and private but she loves grand gestures. A restaurant proposal is the best way to meet in the middle. It’s not original by far but it’s one of the few things we do together in public. This way, I didn’t raise her suspicion. There isn’t any form of expectation in her eyes or anticipation in her relaxed body.
Our souffle arrives, smelling just as delicious as the rest. I ordered it because she has never had one and always wanted to try it. Most of my joy came from watching Emily savor each bite, her eyelashes fluttering as she enjoys the new flavors.
It is by design for me to wait until the end. The paranoid part of me wants to be able to escape quickly if things go wrong. The server comes with the bill and I hand him enough cash to cover everything.
Confident, I hold her hand as we stand. Turning Emily, I make sure she’s looking me in the eyes before I start speaking. Luckily, my brain kicks in, giving me the words I need to say to make this moment special.
Clasping both of her hands, I give them a quick squeeze before I speak.
“Baby, you’re the love of my life and I cannot imagine one without you in it.” Her mouth falls open as she realizes what I’m about to do. Reaching into my pocket, I pull out the sparkling ring that she’d once gushed over online.
My love’s eyes grow in surprise as I drop down to one knee. The restaurant seems to have fallen into an anticipating silence. I chuckle to keep my nerves at bay when I drop the ring. It’s not a big delay since it’s right by my knee. I wrap my fingers around the metal as I begin to speak again.
“All I ask is that you promise to stay with me forever, Yasmeena…”
There is a familiar voice that invaded my thoughts when I was speaking. It takes my brain a moment to realize I said the wrong name because my eyes are locked with the last person I expected to see outside of work.
Yasmeena is sitting at her table, watching my proposal like everyone else. Her hair is down unlike at work. Curls frame her face, somehow softening her appearance. Making her seem more…human.
Is she smirking?
It was only a brief moment but I feel Emily squeeze my hand to redirect my attention.
“ Emily ,” I correct as I give all my attention back to my girlfriend. “Please do me the honor of allowing me to love you for the rest of our lives.”