Chapter 31
The next week is the longest of my life, and yet it goes by too fast. When I’m not with Ella and her family, I spend all of my time with my dads making the perfect gown. I need one last one, for one final rose ceremony. I go with a dusty rose color. It brings out the pink in my fair skin. It has a plunging neckline and a scooped back. It’s fit through the bodice and flares out to the ground with a small train. The whole thing has a mesh overlay with embroidered flowers and heat-set crystals. It’s beautiful. By far my best work.
When the limo picks me up from my apartment to take me back to the final rose ceremony, I’m not the least bit surprised to find a camera crew waiting for me. I don’t even care. I’m so excited to get there and see Sebastian again. I’ve really missed him. I don’t recognize any of the crew. James is probably with Sebastian, and I’m sure José is with the other women.
I’m not sure who is still left. Sebastian sent me home on the family visits, so it was down to Emma, Katie, and Willow for the overnight visits. He sent one home after those, and then had one last activity with the final two women before today’s rose ceremony. I expect Emma to be there, but I have no idea between the other two. As much as I liked Katie, I hope Willow is still there. I’d like to see my friend again.
I don’t realize I’m squirming in my seat until the cameraman breaks the silence. “Nervous?”
I look down at my bouncing knee and press my hand on my thigh to make it stop shaking. “Anxious,” I admit. “But it’s from excitement.”
The cameraman shoots me a flat look and dryly says, “You’re not nervous at all?”
“Nope.”
He tries again to get a reaction out of me. “You’re not concerned he’ll pick someone else? It’ll be pretty humiliating if you come back only for him to choose a different woman.”
As much as I hate it, his words hit their mark. A whisp of insecurity flutters through me. Sebastian did let me go, and I don’t know how things went with Emma after I was gone. He told me himself he thought they could make something work. He kissed her.
I push the doubt away. Now’s not the time to second guess myself. “If I wasn’t sure, I wouldn’t have demanded the show bring me back.”
That has the guy shutting his mouth and sitting back in his seat.
When I get to the mansion, Andrea is there to greet me with the producer who’s replaced Jeremiah. I finally learned his name this week. It’s David. They’re both all smiles when they see me. Andrea gives me a big hug. “Vivian! It’s so good to have you back.”
I grin at her. “Believe it or not, it feels good to be back.”
We both laugh.
David steps forward to shake my hand. “Thank you for coming. I really can’t tell you how much we appreciate it. If you hadn’t talked the Monroes down, the show would have been canceled, and we’d all be out of a job.”
I shake the man’s hand and give him a strained smile. I’m not cold, exactly, but I’m not friendly either. This man isn’t anywhere near the slimeball Jeremiah was, but he still went along with all of Jeremiah’s scheming and manipulating. He wasn’t exactly disagreeing when Jeremiah blackmailed me into taking the twins’ place on the show. “Don’t thank me too much. I didn’t do it for the show.”
He gives me a nervous laugh. “Well, we all still appreciate it.”
Andrea waves her hand across the driveway in the direction of the guesthouse. “Shall we go get you ready? I’m excited to see the gown you’ve come up with.” That has me grinning huge, and as we head back toward the guesthouse, I tell her all about my new job with Couture Dubois. “You had a productive couple of weeks,” she says. We reach the house, and she holds the door open for me. “Of course we’ll be sad to lose you, but I’m happy for the new opportunity for you.”
“I couldn’t have done it without this show,” I admit. A surprise lump forms in my throat, and I stop before entering the guesthouse. “As much as I hated being on the show, I’m really grateful I came on it. I got a new job, the adventure of a lifetime in Paris, a ton of new friends, and hopefully Sebastian out of the deal.” I lean toward her and cup my hand around my mouth to whisper to her. “Don’t tell anyone I admitted I’m glad I was on the show. I have a reputation to protect as this season’s reluctant contestant.”
Andrea laughs. “Our secret.”
We walk into the guesthouse where Tina and Sadie are helping Emma and Katie get ready for the final rose ceremony. “Ladies!” Andrea calls, earning their attention. “I hope you have time for one more.”
A round of gasps and cheers go up in the room. Sadie and Emma squeal and tackle me with hugs. Tina and Katie follow them with smiles just as big. “What are you doing here?” Emma asks, hugging me again.
I grin and shrug. “I figured if Sebastian could break the rules to get me on the show, then I could break them to come back.”
All of the women gape at me in disbelief. “How?” Tina asks.
I try to play it off all nonchalant, looking down at my fingernails and shrugging one shoulder. “I might have stormed the board meeting with the show execs and the network bigwigs and demanded they send me back.”
There’s a beat of silence. For a moment, I’m worried that they hate me for returning and stealing their chance to win the billionaire. But Emma’s too sweet to hate anyone, and while Katie might give Sebastian a shot because he’s a hot billionaire—and who wouldn’t?—she’s never been all that interested in him, either.
Emma breaks the silence with a laugh, and it sends everyone else into fits of giggles. “I wish I could have seen that,” Emma says.
“It was pretty epic,” I admit. “I felt like a total badass.”
“And they just went for it?” Katie asks.
I shrug again. “How could they not? The surprise twist fairy-tale ending for the whirlwind enemies-to-lovers romance?”
Emma sighs wistfully. “It’s so romantic.”
I let out a little sigh of relief. She’s the one I was most worried that my presence here would upset. I know she wouldn’t hate me, but I don’t want to hurt her either.
Andrea claps her hands together. “All right, ladies, enough chitchat. We’ve got a rose ceremony to get to.”
Emma grins at me. “Yes, let’s get ready. I’m dying to see your gown.”
I show all the women my dress and they ooh and ahh over it so much I actually blush. Then, while we all get our hair and makeup finished, I tell them about how and why Sebastian let me go, and I give them all the juicy details of what went down with Aaron. The girls knew he’d been fired. They’d met the new host already. But no one had told them the story. I’m more than happy to give them every gritty detail. They’re rightly appalled by Aaron’s accusations and nearly giddy over the news of Jeremiah’s dismissal. We open a bottle of champagne and toast to their demise.
After we’re all ready, we have a few minutes to wait until it’s time to join Sebastian. It gives me the opportunity to talk to Emma privately. “You’re not mad that I’m here?”
Emma’s eyes pop wide, and she brings her hand to her chest. “Are you kidding? I’m so relieved!”
I’m startled by the force of her earnestness. “Relieved?” I ask.
She nods vigorously. “With you gone, I figured Sebastian was going to choose me. I was so nervous.”
My stomach churns a little at the thought that Sebastian might have won her over. I’ve never been able to tell how much Emma liked him. Was she looking forward to being Mrs. Monroe? I can’t help asking, “Were you going to say yes?”
Her face softens into a small, understanding smile, and she shakes her head. “That’s why I was so nervous. I was going to say no.”
Relief floods me. “So, you don’t want to marry him?”
She pulls me into a gentle hug before smirking at me. “I like him. He’s a great guy. But he’s in love with you. We both deserve more from a relationship than that. And so do you.” She shrugs. “I figured if I said no, he could go find you after the show was over.” Her smile turns bright as the sun, and she claps excitedly. “But here you are!”
My heart warms in my chest, and I can’t help pulling her into another hug. “You are such a good friend to me. I’m going to miss you like crazy. Are you sure you won’t move to LA?”
Emma laughs, but then she looks at the floor and smiles to herself. Her cheeks turn pink, and my curiosity is piqued. “What is it?”
She meets my eyes, and her blush deepens. “When Sebastian and I went home, my parents had planned a big barbecue with all my friends and family. Luke was there.”
My eyes widen. “The man from your study group? The love of your life?”
Her face turns so red it looks painful. She bites her lip and nods. “I think it was the producers trying to stir up drama. He said Jeremiah contacted him. I have no idea how he found him. It had been a couple years since I’d seen him.”
I’m so glad she wasn’t interested in Sebastian. That would have been so cruel. “That man is evil,” I mutter.
Emma nods. “I couldn’t agree more. However, I’m not complaining this time. It turns out Luke is single again, and he seemed pretty happy to see me.”
Excitement bubbles up in me, and I let out an embarrassingly girly squeak. “Seriously? You’re going to go for it, right? If you need a wingman, I’ll totally come out there.”
Emma laughs and shakes her head. She takes a deep breath and then pulls her shoulders back and lifts her chin in determination. “I’ll be okay. I can do it now. My friends and family were right. This show was good for me. I’m not going to miss my shot again.”
Pride shines in her eyes, and I’m sure it’s mirrored in mine. We hug again. “Good for you,” I say. “I guess I’ll have to settle for coming out for your wedding.”
Emma giggles and her cheeks blush again, but she doesn’t argue. “As long as I get to come to yours, too.”
Something flutters in my stomach. It’s a combination of nerves and excitement. I’m most likely about to be engaged. Marriage is in my immediate future. I’m not sure I’m ready for it, but I’m sure that Sebastian will be there with me, and it’ll be okay. If he has to help me swim for a while until I’m not so nervous, I have no doubt he can keep me afloat.
“Of course,” Emma continues dryly, “you and Sebastian will have to pay for my plane ticket because I took a long leave of absence from work for this show, and now I’m broke.”
We laugh together, and then Andrea’s there telling us it’s time to go.
We squeeze each other in one last hug and then follow the whole crew across the property to a long wooden path that leads down to the beach. As we descend the stairs, I absolutely do not think about the possibility of a rogue wave suddenly crashing onto the small stretch of beach and slamming us all into the side of the bluffs or dragging us out to sea.
I’m the last of the women to reach the sand where Sebastian is already waiting. They’ve erected a small gazebo on the shore that they’ve covered with lush green vines and beautiful red roses. The sun is high in the clear blue sky, and the ocean waves are gently washing up on the shore behind it. It’s a beautiful sight. The perfect spot for a romantic proposal.
In the middle of the gazebo, Sebastian stands in a tuxedo next to a pedestal that has a single rose lying on it. The final rose. He’s got his back to us, looking out at the endless ocean, and he’s tugging at his collar like it’s choking him. He’s nervous. It’s adorable.
We follow the new host onto the beach and into the gazebo. Katie is first, then Emma, and then me. Sebastian turns around, and when his eyes land on me, he sucks in a breath. The host starts to go into his spiel, but Sebastian cuts him off. He steps toward me, nearly shoving the host out of the way in his quest to get to me. He takes my hands in his, blinking at me in utter shock. “What are you doing here?”
His eyes keep roving over me from head to toe, bouncing all over my face as if he’s looking at an angel. He’s staring at me as if I’m some kind of miracle. An answer to his prayer. My heart starts pounding in my chest. I want to throw myself in his arms, and I’m dying to feel his lips on mine. Seriously, I’m ready to jump him right here and now. I’m just so happy to see him. I knew I’d missed him these last couple weeks, but I didn’t know how much I’d been longing for him until he was standing right here in front of me.
I smirk at him. “You’re not the only one capable of negotiation.” He frowns in confusion. “I went to the network and told them it was best for the show if they bring me back.” I shrug a shoulder, once again, trying to play it cool. “Apparently I made a very compelling argument.”
He doesn’t smile. He’s still staring at me as if he can’t believe I’m here. “Why would you do that? You hated being on the show.”
“But I don’t hate you.”
He gulps. “Why not? I dumped you. I sent you home.”
I drop my smirk and smile softly at him. I have no doubt I look like a lovesick fool. I squeeze his hands. My throat goes tight, and my chest starts to burn. “I know why you released me, and I was grateful, but I was also heartbroken.”
Shock streaks across his face. “What?”
I let out a sigh. “I was too scared of my feelings to admit I had them until I was crying myself to sleep thinking I’d just lost the best thing that had ever happened to me.”
His eyes flick back and forth between mine. So much hope is pouring from them it’s going to make me cry. “What are you saying?” he asks in a shaky voice that’s barely above a whisper.
Tears prick my eyes. “I love you, Sebastian.” I let out a manic laugh and shake my head. “It’s crazy. It’s impulsive, and too fast, but somehow I fell in lo?—”
My words are cut off when Sebastian grabs my face and fuses our mouths together. He attacks me as if he’s afraid I’ll disappear or change my mind at any moment and this kiss will seal me to him so that I couldn’t leave him even if I tried. Which I don’t. I’m more than happy to kiss him back with just as much abandon. I twine my arms around his neck and lean myself into him. He lets go of my cheeks and wraps his arms around me. He buries one hand in my hair and presses the other into my back, pulling me even closer, molding our bodies together in a crushing embrace. The kiss is an emotional release. It’s relief and need. It’s longing and desperation. It’s heat and passion. And more than anything, it’s love. Love like I’ve never known before. I love this man. I love him. And he loves me too. I know it with every fiber of my being. Sebastian Monroe loves me.
A throat clearing loudly has us pulling apart. We’re both breathless and flushed. The new host is smirking at us. “I take it you’ve made your choice?”
Sebastian shakes his head, his eyes never leaving mine. “It was never a choice.”
My heart throbs. I’m full of so much feeling that I might literally burst from it.
“At least give her the rose,” Katie calls, laughter in her tone.
Sebastian glances back at the other two women still left in this crazy game. Emma beams at him, and Katie winks. He lets out a small chuckle and picks up the rose. His eyes meet mine again, and he grins the most adorable little crooked grin I’ve ever seen. “Are you going to say no this time?”
I shrug. “You won’t know until you ask.”
His eyes flare at the challenge, filling with a heat that has me shivering. “Vivian,” he murmurs, “will you accept this rose?”
There’s no playing it cool this time. I grin so hard my face hurts. “You know I will.” I take the flower from him, and then we’re kissing again. My arms wrap around his neck and his circle my waist. We don’t get quite as out of control this time. He breaks the kiss, but doesn’t let go of me. “You’ll marry me, then?”
I return his crooked grin. “Are you officially asking?”
My heart stutters when he immediately drops to one knee. This giddy excitement surges through me. I start to shake. I look over his head to Katie and Emma, and we all exchange excited grins. Emma looks like she’s about to explode from joy. I know the feeling.
Sebastian takes my hand, and I give him all of my attention. “I don’t have the right ring.”
The host scrambles forward, pulling a small velvet box from his pocket. “Actually, I’ve got you covered.”
Sebastian takes the box and holds it up to me. When the lid snaps open, the breath steals from my lungs. It’s the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever seen. An absurdly large square cut light purple stone is set in a platinum band with slightly smaller diamonds flanking it and tiny diamonds set into the band, making the whole thing sparkle. The stone doesn’t look like an amethyst or even a purple sapphire. I’m scared to ask, but knowing Sebastian, it might just be a purple diamond. I’m afraid to put the thing on, but I can’t deny it’s absolutely perfect.
“Vivian Euling,” Sebastian says, and another thrill strikes me in the chest like lightning, making every inch of me come alive. “I came on this show certain I wouldn’t find what I needed, but it turned out I just didn’t know what I was looking for.” He rakes a hand through his hair. “I’m not very good with words.”
I sniff. “You’re doing great so far.”
He relaxes a little and smiles up at me softly. “All my father ever wanted was to see me fall in love and be happy the way he and my mom were happy. I never understood. I thought I was happy. Then I met you, and I realized I may have been content, but I wasn’t happy. I finally know why my father pushed me so hard to find love. You don’t just make me happy, Vivian. You make me joyful. You’re the miracle my father always knew was out there, and I never thought I’d find. Please grant my father’s dying wish and make me the happiest man on Earth. Be my wife.”
I smile through watery eyes. Was that a request or a demand? I suppose with Sebastian it was a little bit of both. “You make me happy too.”
He looks up at me so earnestly it takes my breath away. “Is that a yes?”
I bite my lip and nod. I’m really doing this. I’m going to marry Sebastian. “Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
And then that joy Sebastian spoke of washes over his face, lighting him up like he’s made of sunshine. He pulls the ridiculously large yet perfect ring from the box and slips it on my finger. Tears finally well up in my eyes and spill onto my cheeks. For once, I’m wearing waterproof mascara. I’ve learned my lesson.
Once the ring is on my finger, Sebastian rises to his feet in one swift motion and sweeps me into his arms. He kisses me senseless, then beams a bright smile at me. “Thank you.”
I almost laugh. I don’t know that I’ve ever heard of someone thanking them for agreeing to get married. “You’re welcome?”
He kisses me again. “Can we serve tacos at the wedding?”
Now I do laugh. “I love you, Sebastian Monroe. We can serve whatever you want.”
“I love you too.”
This time when he kisses me, we don’t come up for air until James and Andrea pull us apart. Apparently, there’s one last confessional to film. But at least we get to do this one together.