Epilogue #2
“First, I want to make sure everyone knows about that corner over there.” She nodded toward the front corner opposite the door.
“That’s our Naomi Finley collection. Everything there was made by my dear friend Naomi before she died.
Art was her life, and as you can see, she was gifted beyond compare.
” Harper stopped and swallowed hard, took a breath. Dakota squeezed her hand.
“Not only did Naomi’s brother, Ian, help fund our venture,” Harper continued, keeping my name out of it as I’d requested, “but he also donated Naomi’s artwork.
Anytime you buy something from Naomi’s corner, all the money will go toward her pet cause, bringing art supplies and instruction to schools.
Naomi’s love and giving spirit will live on in that little corner for as long as we have her work to sell. ”
The crowd applauded, with most of them craning their necks toward that section of the store as if giving it a closer look.
“It would make my heart happy if you’d drink a toast to dear, talented Naomi. I wouldn’t be up here today if I’d never met her. Cheers, my friend.” Harper raised her glass and her gaze toward heaven, her eyes sparkling with moisture.
The crowd hollered out a collection of “hear, hear” and “cheers.”
“Second, I want to give all of you the biggest, most heartfelt thanks for showing up and supporting our shop. This…” She looked around from above, seeming to really take in the space and the people, then shook her head with a wide smile of disbelief, happiness, and gratitude.
“This is beyond my wildest dreams, to be honest. I feel so lucky to be on this adventure with Cambria and Dakota, my partners and friends.” She raised her glass and made eye contact with each of them below her.
“So cheers to these two incredible women I get to work with every day, and cheers to every single one of you here tonight.” She lifted her glass again. “I am blessed.”
Again there was a collective “cheers” and “here’s to you, ladies.” Harper climbed down, and the three of them group hugged.
“I’m happy for them,” Ben said after finishing his half glass of bubbly. “I need to get these two princesses home to bed. Best of luck to you.” He gave me a knowing look.
“Thanks. Good night,” I said, my nerves going taut because showtime was nearing. A line had formed at the register, with people ready to cash out and go home. I made my way over to the side of the counter, plotting my next move.
Harper’s dad gave her a tight hug and told her how proud of her he was, said good night to me with an approving wink, and took his leave.
As Dakota rung up the last person in line a few minutes later and Cambria straightened the store, Harper hugged me again.
“Thank you. For everything from convincing me to get more info weeks ago to investing in us.”
I kissed her. “You’re welcome. You’re going to do amazing things. The temperature’s dropped outside, so why don’t we go upstairs and get you something to put over your sexy dress.”
Dakota caught my eye as I said it, telling me she understood the plan.
“I’ll be right back, Dakota,” Harper said, then took my hand and led me away.
I shook my head at my sister as if to say, no, she won’t, grinning on my way out.
Piper had finally showed up at the shop, I noticed as we went to the back room. That was a good sign everything was ready.
As we went up the stairs, my heart raced. I’d been planning for so long, yet I had no idea how Harper would react. It was absolutely possible I was crazy in this.
Fuck, I hoped like hell I wasn’t crazy in this.
At the door, we paused, and Harper unlocked it with one hand, her other still holding mine. She glanced up at me with a pretty, unsuspecting smile.
I held my breath as she pushed the door open. Before I could see inside, she gasped.
“Oh, my God.” She stopped in the doorway, preventing me from seeing Piper’s work. “Max. What the—”
She looked back at me and noted my grin.
“What did you do, Max?”
“I didn’t do anything. I’ve been downstairs all evening.”
Laughing, she burst into her apartment and spun around, taking in all the details.
There were candles, dozens of LED candles, all of them flickering, casting enough light to see the flower petals, which were everywhere, in every color.
No monotone roses for my girl. I’d insisted Piper make sure every color in the rainbow was generously represented in the mix of thousands of petals she and her helpers had scattered throughout the room, leaving a distinct, bare path to the deck door.
“Are we supposed to go out there?” she asked.
“Looks that way,” I said, laughing, loving every ounce of her reaction so far—and we hadn’t even gotten to the good stuff.
Harper led me to the rooftop deck, where there were dozens more candles and petals, the bistro table set for two with multicolored tapers, handmade by Cambria, waiting to be lit, and two covered plates emanating a heavenly, savory aroma. Nearby was an outdoor heater, pumping away.
“Who…” Harper went over to the table and lifted one of the covers. “What…? Max, this is incredible. Did you do all this?”
“Let’s just say I arranged it. Piper was in charge of decorating. Surf and turf dinner is compliments of Cash Henry.”
She covered her mouth with both hands and took in the scene with a look of wonder. When I sidled up next to her, she threw her arms around my neck and kissed me. “This is to celebrate?”
“Of course,” I said. “If you can handle more champagne.” I pointed to the bottle chilling in an elegant bucket.
She was about to sit down when I went down to one knee beside her and said, “But first…”
Harper turned to look at me, first glancing up where my head would normally be, then realizing where I was. A heartbeat later, she gasped again, covered her mouth with both hands, and stared down at me, her eyes shining.
I reached deep into my pocket and took out the little velvet box. My hands were shaking. I popped it open to reveal the round-cut diamond with rubies on each side. I took one of her hands in mine and plunged ahead, thankful I’d rehearsed what I wanted to say until I was blue in the face.
“Harper,” I said, peering into those beautiful brown eyes, “you’re my first thought in the morning, my last thought before sleeping, and the reason I’m excited to wake up every day.
You and Danny are the family I didn’t dare to hope for.
I thought he and I were doing pretty well, getting through the days.
Then you came along, and boom! Our black-and-white lives suddenly turned into a vivid rainbow.
You bring joy and lightness to me and remind me to take myself less seriously.
I love you, Harper Ellison, and I don’t want to live without you.
” I swallowed, my heart thundering. “Will you marry me?”
She blinked, and two streams of tears ran down her cheeks. I stopped breathing. She was crying? Were they happy tears? Or was she about to crush me?
Then she nodded and laughed through the tears. “Yes!” She bounced up and down, one hand still over her mouth, her eyes sparkling.
That was all I needed to hear. I stood and wrapped my arms around her, ring box still in my hand, and lifted her off the ground.
I’d never felt so overcome with emotions.
I funneled all of them—joy, relief, love, devotion, hope—into a kiss, setting her down so I could cradle her head and get serious about it.
I poured all of it into her, and she gave me everything in return. When she broke contact, she lovingly ran her palms over my cheeks as she gazed into my eyes.
“You’re the forever I didn’t know I was ready for. You and Danny are everything to me, Max. I love you to the end of time and then some.” She laughed, sheer elation bubbling out of her. “And that ring! Stop teasing, Max.”
Hell, I’d forgotten to slide the ring on because I was so swept away by this woman that I couldn’t wait to get my lips on hers. I brought the box between us, plucked the ring out of its cushion, took her left hand, and with my hands still shaking, slid it onto her ring finger.
“It’s stunning, Max,” she said in a breathy voice.
“I hope you like it. You needed something with color. If you’d prefer something besides rubies, we can change them.”
“It’s perfect. I love it. I love you. I can’t wait to marry you.”
“We should celebrate,” I said with a glance at the table, “before the food gets cold. We can join your friends afterward if you want.”
She shook her head. “Surf and turf, champagne, then you naked. That’s how I want to celebrate. All night long.”
“I’m yours, Harper. All night long, every night, forever.”