Epilogue
One year later…
The beach wedding Arden had planned for her client had gone off without a hitch on a beautiful July Saturday at The Harbor Light Hotel. Kinsley caught Arden’s eyes and gave her the thumbs-up from across the reception hall to signal that Chef Rick was ready to wheel out the wedding cake. He’d designed it especially by the bride’s request so that it looked as though the entire cake was covered in intricate seashells.
With Damon’s continued help, business had been steadily increasing throughout the year, and Kinsley was thrilled to see that August was completely booked. She and Damon had even talked about building an addition to the hotel with a small gift shop and spa. Pending board approval, of course. But she had a feeling Damon’s dad wouldn’t deny her request. Joseph St. James was definitely a salty character, but the few times they’d gotten together he seemed pleased with how the hotel was running—and that Damon seemed so happy.
“Are you okay?” Damon asked, sidling up next to her. He held out a glass of white wine for her.
“What do you think?” she said with a grin, echoing the first words she’d ever spoken to him, which happened to also be at a wedding. She took the wine from his hand and clinked it with his glass of Scotch.
“You brought me Chardonnay,” she said, taking a sip.
“You love Chardonnay.”
“I know, but I don’t want to ever seem boring to you. Maybe you should have brought me tequila.”
“Nothing you do, drink, or say is boring, Kinsley. They are all little aspects of you that make you who you are. Unique.” Damon wrapped his arms around her and pressed close. “And for your information, things didn’t pan out so well for me when you drank tequila. I’m hoping tonight I get lucky with you drinking Chardonnay.”
“You always get lucky. But I think we’re safe to slip away right now if you want to test out your little theory anyway.”
“I do, but, uh, first,” he said, taking a step back, “I have some good news to tell you.”
“Ooh, what is it?”
“I booked another wedding at the hotel today.”
“You did? That’s fantastic. Oh my gosh, that’s our tenth one this year. Anyone I know?”
“Yes, you could even say you know this person…intimately.”
She frowned. “Who?”
Damon smiled into Kinsley’s eyes. “Me.”
“You?” She half laughed, shaking her head until she began to understand what he was hinting at. “But…I thought you hated weddings,” she said lamely.
“I do. Unless it happens to be the right wedding.” Damon reached into his blazer pocket, pulled out a small black box, and removed the ring.
Her eyes widened at the beautiful cushion-cut diamond ring he held out to her. It had to be at least two carats. She blinked twice, unable to do anything else.
“Kinsley Roberts, I think I fell for you the moment I saw you standing there in that ugly pink bridesmaid’s dress.”
She shook her head grimly, wiping a stray tear from her eye. “I knew that dress looked hideous on me.”
“Don’t interrupt,” he said, placing a finger lightly against her lips. “I think I even fell for you a little more when you thought Magic Mike was a well-known classic movie.”
She winced. “It could be in certain parts of the world.”
“Trust me. It’s not.” He smiled. “But I love the fact that you think it could be because you have to be right all the time. And I love how grouchy you are before you have your first sip of coffee.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Um, I hope this proposal gets better.”
“It does,” he said with a chuckle. Then he went down on one knee. “Because I also happen to love your humor and your dedication to your work and to the community. I love your strength in business that you don’t even realize you have. And that you’re a sucker for fat cats, unpottytrained dogs, and lonely New York bigwigs. But most of all, I love your heart—and that you’ve given something as precious and tender as that to me. And I love you right back, Kinsley. With all of my heart.”
She gazed down tenderly at the man she loved more than anything. Damon had her heart because he was her heart, her life.
She sniffed, her breath catching. “Okay. You were right. This proposal did get better. Way better. In fact, it might go down in history as the best proposal ever received.”
“I doubt that. But overall the proposal is kind of meaningless without the answer I’m waiting to hear.”
“Oh my gosh, yes!” She laughed, taking the ring and immediately slipping it on her finger. “Yes, of course I’ll marry you. I love you, too. So much.”
Damon hauled her in tight and kissed her. A wave of emotion rushed over with such strength, she was glad Damon’s arms were supporting her.
He slowly drew back to look at her. “That’s good, because I’m going to want a short turnaround time on this wedding. But I’m thinking if anyone is up for the task, it’d be you. Unlimited budget this time.”
“Unlimited?”
“Within reason. Maybe we should go discuss the details up in my room,” he said, with a devilish gleam in his eyes.
“Okay, but remember, I’m no pushover when it comes to budgets.”
He took her hand and kissed it, then led her out of the ballroom. “Don’t worry,” he said, whispering into her ear, “I’m prepared to negotiate all night if I have to.”
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