Chapter 29 Megan #2
Aunt Dana came in just as I was almost done. "Hey, did you manage to get any rest?" I asked her.
"No, but that man of yours kept me company." The corners of her mouth lifted again. Oh my God, she was smiling. I was stunned. I had to ask Luke what his secret was.
I stayed with her at the salon while they did her hair, curlers and all. It was a good look on her, gave her hair lots of volume.
After she was done, I laced my arm with hers, walking out of the salon. "You want me to show you the neighborhood a bit, or are you too tired?"
“I'm not tired. I had a lot of coffee. I want to see the area."
"Good." The day was cold but sunny.
"He's a good man, that Luke."
"Okay, I've got to ask you, how did he win you over so quickly? Was it the flowers?”
“Those helped. Mostly it was seeing how happy he makes you.” She took a deep breath.
“Child, I've had a lot of time to think.
I'm sorry about always being on your case about putting your job first and focusing on relationships later.
I was speaking from my own experience and bitterness. Life is not the same for all of us."
"You were just looking out for me. That's okay." And it was. I could see being the same with my children; you only wanted the best for them.
"You're a good girl. Now, about the money."
"Oh, no, I won't hear of it. This is something I really want to do for you."
"Are you sure? You're young. You could use it for a lot of things."
"But I'm happy with what I have. I've got a great, great job. My salary is more than fine. I've always been saving up, just the way you taught me."
"I just want to know you're okay."
As we walked through the neighborhood, I pointed out my favorite bakery and a shop with fantastic bath products.
I was waiting for her to scold me about living with Luke, but she said nothing, which made me suspicious.
I was even more suspicious half an hour later when she said, "Come on, we should go back. "
“Why?" I asked. "We don't have plans until later."
"We don't," she said and winked at me. "But Luke has some for you."
"Am I about to find out how he won you over?"
"Perhaps, but don't tell him I told you that."
"I won't."
To my astonishment, Luke was wearing a suit when we entered the apartment.
"What is happening?" I asked.
"I'm taking you to a surprise lunch to celebrate. Just the two of us."
"Oh, we're going somewhere fancy. Let me change. I need a lot of time."
"I know," Luke said. He nodded at Aunt Dana. These two were already plotting together. I had not seen that coming.
Wanting to prove them both wrong, I dressed quickly. It was a cold day, so I put on a pink sweaterdress with black wool tights and knee-high boots. It was elegant, but not too elegant for lunch.
Men had it so easy. All they had to do was pick out a suit.
I went back to the living room, feeling proud of my outfit. "I'm ready," I said, twirling around once.
"You look fantastic, darling," Aunt Dana said.
"Thank you."
"You're beautiful." Luke was looking at me intently.
My skin simmered. I felt myself blushing. Licking my lips, I picked up my bag, putting it over my shoulder. "All right, I'm all yours." I glanced at Aunt Dana. “You’ll rest up while we’re gone?”
“Yes. I’ll stay here, sit on the couch. I don’t want to go to bed. Might ruin my hair.”
“True. I tried getting an appointment late in the afternoon, but they were booked.”
“No worries. Have fun, you two.”
I put on my thick winter jacket, excited for the day.
I tried to guess where he was taking me on the drive, but it wasn't a neighborhood where I had been before. Unless…. I looked at him intently. And as we drove even farther, I was sure I knew what he'd planned.
"Oh my God, are you taking me to Phil's Cottage?"
He grinned. "Yes, I am. I know you wanted to go for a while."
"I've wanted that forever. I can't believe this. I didn't even know they opened for lunch."
"They don't. I might have convinced them to make an exception. Besides, like this, we get the whole place to ourselves."
"Luke Maxwell, you are unbelievable and amazing,” I gushed. “And I love you so, so much."
A few minutes later, we arrived in front of the building where I knew Phil’s Cottage was on the twenty-second floor.
My heart was racing as we got out of the car.
A valet took over the parking. People milled in and out of the building, as it housed plenty of offices, and even a hotel, though that had a separate entrance.
The restaurant had its own separate elevator, and we rode alone to the twenty-second floor. I was giddy with excitement as the doors opened.
A server in a tux was waiting for us in the entrance area. It was elegant with granite plaques up on the walls.
"Welcome."
He took our coats and led us farther inside the restaurant. It was decorated in the same dark and gritty vibes, but it got plenty of light from the huge windows. I looked around. I wasn't even sure where to glance first. I wanted to soak it all up. We were seated in the main salon.
"Thank you so much. I can't believe you brought me here."
"I want to make you happy, Meg, always. And I knew bringing you here would do that."
"Yes, it does."
The waiter brought us menus, and we ordered Maxwell champagne. After our drinks were poured, Luke said, "I know you haven't had time to study the menu, but take all the time you need right now."
I laughed, shifting in my seat. "Luke, of course I've studied the menu hundreds of times. I know exactly what I want."
"Of course you do," he said with a chuckle. "So do I."
"What? You've barely looked at the menu."
"Yeah, but I've learned from a certain gorgeous woman that it pays off to study it beforehand."
I clapped my hands, shimmying in my seat. "Ah, I'm so proud I've taught you this."
The waiter must have sensed that we were ready because he came right away. I ordered chicken satay with brown rice mixed with nuts, raisins, and cinnamon. Luke got the venison. We were going to order dessert later.
We spoke about the restaurant and Aunt Dana right until we received the food.
It was even more delicious than I hoped it would be.
The rice was the perfect mix of crunchy, rich, and flavorful.
The chicken was very tender. For dessert, we ordered crème br?lée.
I finished my portion in seconds, then glanced at Luke’s plate.
Damn, he’d cleared it already too—no seconds for me.
I looked around, sighing with happiness. "Thank you for doing this. I can't believe you talked them into opening, and for my promotion, no less."
Luke took my hand over the table, squeezing it lightly. His eyes were even more intense than before.
"Not just because of your promotion," he said. His voice was different, softer somehow.
"No?" I asked, wondering what else this could be about.
"No. See, I needed a good excuse so you wouldn't suspect anything."
"Suspect what?"
He rose from the chair and then bent downward. I figured his napkin had fallen off or something, and then I realized he was dropping onto one knee.
I gasped. "Oh, oh!"
He took out a small jewelry box from his pocket, opening it up.
"Megan, I love you with my whole heart. It's yours.
I'm yours. These past few months have been incredible.
You are…." His voice wavered. "I can't even put into words everything you mean to me, at least not right now, which would have been the perfect moment to find the right words. "
I laughed nervously. "I love you," I murmured.
"And I love you. And I want to do this my whole life.
" He looked around. "Fulfill all your wishes.
It will be my honor and my privilege to listen to them and make them come true, to anticipate your needs and meet them, to dream with you about our future and then make them a reality.
I love you so much. Will you be my wife? "
I held out my finger, nodding vigorously, not daring to speak—not yet anyway—while he put on the ring. It had six stones in various colors: pink, blue, green, and white. It looked like a bouquet. It was gorgeous, and I loved it just as I loved this beautiful man.
He rose to his feet, and I wrapped my arms around his neck, whispering against his skin, "I love you."
He held me close to him, kissing my temple. My eyes had welled up. I patted my tears dry.
He was smiling when I pulled back. Then he kissed me gently.
"You're amazing," I whispered.
"No, you are. Now, how about a second portion of crème br?lée? I saw you looking at my plate.”
I grinned. “You truly are my dream man.”