“Eat! Otherwise you’ll waste away!”

Mom dishes another serving of cheesecake onto Jasper’s plate. She spent all week perfecting the recipe, and I don’t think she’s ever been prouder of anything in her life.

He doesn’t even try to turn her down. “I don’t think wasting away will be a problem.” Everyone around the table laughs, Evie loudest of all.

She turns to me. “You didn’t tell me he was funny.”

I roll my eyes. “He’s been to dinner at least five times already. You know how funny he is.” She knows how funny his dad can be, too—she insisted on meeting him at the second dinner. They have a lot in common, Jasper and his father.

My mom takes her seat at the table and watches Jasper eat the second slice of cheesecake with more than a little bit of adoration in her eyes. Midway through, she winks at me. It’s not very well hidden, but Jasper smiles.

When he’s finished, he waits for Evie to finish telling us about the latest workplace drama at her fashion house, and then he turns to my mother. “The renovations haven’t been bothering you too much, have they?”

Contractors started work on the top floor of the building last month. The exterior work won’t be started until the spring—at least, that’s what I understand.

She beams at Jasper. “Oh, no. They’re very quiet. And they keep such strict hours. I’ve never been kept awake.”

He frowns a little. “Hmm.”

She leans toward him, instantly worried. “Was that—are they supposed to be bothersome?”

Jasper can’t keep a straight face. “I’m sorry. No, they’re not. But I was thinking...” He taps the side of his cheek. I force myself not to roll my eyes, but I can’t keep the smile off my face, either. This playful side of him...I could get used to this.

“What? What were you thinking?” My mom fiddles anxiously with the tablecloth, and Evie sits beside her, grinning like she’s already in on the secret.

“I was thinking that if you were bothered by the construction efforts, I might be able to help.”

“How? I would never want to inconvenience you...”

“I have some property in the south of France that I’ve been meaning to visit for quite some time. I was actually planning to leave in two weeks.”

Mom’s forehead wrinkles. She’s not getting it, but Evie is.

She can’t contain herself. “Jasper, are you inviting us all to visit your villa in the south of France?”

He snaps his fingers like it’s the best idea he’s ever heard. “That’s exactly what I’m doing. You, and my father will be there too. It will be a wonderful…family vacation.”

“What?” My mom leaps up from her seat. “France? In two weeks?”

“It’s for real, Mom.” I shout the words over the burst of applause she’s giving Jasper. “You can come, too, can’t you, Evie?”

“Um, yes. Yes. I will do whatever it takes. How long are we staying?”

“At least two weeks.” Jasper looks at me. “There are lots of things I’d like to do there.”

My entire body hums with anticipation. Jasper hasn’t said anything yet, but in all the discussions we’ve had about engagements and weddings, I’ve always been sure to mention that I want my mom to be there. She’s been there for everything else.

“Pack your bathing suits!” I cry, and my mom scrambles away from the table, toward her bedroom. “Where are you going?” I call after her.

“Shopping!” She shouts the word from her bedroom, then reemerges with her purse over her shoulder and her coat already half-on. “Come with me!” Mom rushes for the door. “Oh, I’ve never been so excited in my life!”

I lean in and kiss Jasper, the heat spreading through my entire core.

Outside my mother’s apartment, he takes me by the elbow and pulls me in for another kiss before we climb into the town car.

“There’s something I wanted to ask you.” His voice is a low murmur, and it makes me think of all the things we’re going to do the moment we get back to the penthouse.

“Anything.”

“If I ask you to marry me in France, will you say yes?”

My smile is so wide it almost hurts. “Are you worried I might say no?”

“I’m sure it’s what you want. But I still wanted to ask.” He slides his arm around my waist, holding me tight, like he’ll never let go. “In case there are already plans for a wedding.” His eyes are shining, and he leans down to whisper in my ear. “I can’t wait to be married to you. Two weeks is almost too long. Is that something you want, too?”

My family by my side. An engagement and a wedding in the south of France. Being Jasper’s wife, without another delay. My heart is consumed with joy.

“Oh, I do,” I tell him, rising on tiptoes to press my lips against his. “I do.”

For more books by Amelia Wilde, visit her online at awilderomance.com.