“You missed the turnoff,” I say, turning my head as the on-ramp passes us by. Instead of stopping and turning around, Archer turns the car south. “Are we stopping somewhere on the way?”

“You could say that,” Archer answers, keeping his eyes on the road.

“Okay…” I say, glancing at him. “Why so secretive?”

Archer smiles. “Quiet down over there, East.”

I twist my mouth into a pout. “You know I hate surprises.” I glance down at the bling on my finger, thinking about one surprise in particular.

“You’ll like this one.” Archer flicks his eyes to me. “I promise.”

I sit back in my seat and cross my arms over my chest, resigned to wait it out. It’s Friday afternoon, and we’re heading to Newport for the weekend. Our engagement party is this evening, and since it’s a three hour drive, we both skipped work today to pack. Although it took twice as long with Archer’s constant interruptions…

Well, I guess I can’t blame it all on him. I do find it hard to keep my hands to myself when he’s around. It’s becoming a problem, actually. It’s hard to get work done or focus on anything when your body is screaming for someone’s touch.

And the way Archer touches me? I didn’t know I could feel such pleasure. He sets my body on fire, his caresses sending me to places I’ve only dreamed about. My heart leaps when Archer looks in my eyes, straining against my ribcage as it tries to break free. It isn’t my own anymore; my heart is his.

Archer takes the exit for the Brooklyn Bridge and merges into the wall of traffic slogging across.

“Brooklyn?” I ask, staring out the window. “Why are we—”

“I’m not answering any more questions,” Archer interrupts, “so sit back, and enjoy the traffic.”

Ten minutes later, we pull up in front of the Genesis Arts Center. Archer turns off the car, takes out his keys, and turns to me. “We’re here,” he says, a smile tugging at his lips.

“But why? We’re going to be late for our engagement party.”

“Actually, we early,” he says, opening his door. He comes around the car, opens mine, and sticks out a hand. “Ready?”

“For what?”

Archer takes my hand and leads me to the front doors. “Let me show you…”

We walk in and the place is transformed. The front lobby is converted into a cocktail reception. Uplighting and drapery cover the walls, and high top tables dot the floor. Caterers are everywhere, setting up a bar in one corner and a chocolate fountain station in another. I look to the back wall and see two enormous bouquets of white and and pink peonies flanking the doors that lead to the sculpture gallery.

I turn to Archer. “I…what…?” I seem to have lost the ability to form coherent speech.

Archer grins down at my shocked face. “I told you it was a good surprise.”

“What are you two doing here?” We turn to see Claudette bearing down on us. “Archie, I told you seven o’clock,” Claudette scolds. “You’re way too early and nothing is ready and we’re having trouble with the sound system—”

“Mother,” Archer interrupts, “our deepest apologies. We were just excited about tonight.”

Claudette sighs. “Oh dears, I’m sorry. I’m just flustered.” She takes our hands and squeezes them. “It is exciting, isn’t it? And this was a wonderful idea, Quinn. I adore the space.”

“What idea?” I ask, glancing between her and Archer.

“To have your engagement party here!” Claudette says, laughing like I’d made a silly joke. “Archer told me you two had changed your minds about the country club and suggested this space instead.”

“He did?” I ask, looking at Archer. He’s watching me with those handsome blue eyes.

“Absolutely…” Claudette glances around. “Though between you and me, this place needs a little work. I’ll talk with Heath—”

She stops as Jonathan joins us. He wraps me in a hug and shakes Archer’s hand. “So sorry to interrupt. Thanks for having your special day with us. And Archer, thank you for the permanent event coordinator. She’s already working wonders.”

“An event coordinator?” I repeat. I’m beginning to feel like a parrot.

Jonathan nods. “The Strattons have fully funded the position for the next five years. We’ll be able to start renting out our space and make some money. Oh, Mrs. Stratton,” he says, turning to Claudette, “the event coordinator needs you. Something about where to put the ice sculptures?”

Ice sculptures?

“I’ll be right there,” she says, turning away. She motions for Jonathan to follow her. “I was just telling Quinn that I have plans for this place. I’m very well connected, and what you do here is so important…”

I watch them walk off, Jonathan nodding silently as Claudette waves her hand this way and that. I try to find my voice. “Ice sculptures?” is the first thing I can think of.

Archer rubs his chin. “That’s one hundred percent my mother.”

“I’m so confused, Archer. Event coordinator? Talk of renovations? Your mother planning our engagement party at GAC?!”

Archer steps forward and wraps his arms around me. “Take a breath, East.”

“GAC is falling apart. Won’t this make your dad look bad?”

“Are you kidding? We’re having our engagement party at a youth center instead of a country club. The press will love it.”

I frown. “So is that why you did this?”

“No,” Archer says, holding me tighter. “I knew you wouldn’t be happy at that country club, and I knew what this place meant to you, so I made a judgement call.”

“But this isn’t my real engagement party. I was okay with playing along.”

Archer gazes into my eyes. “Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that…”

I suck in my breath. “What do you mean?”

Archer leans in closer. “I—”

The shrill cry of my phone interrupts us. “Sorry,” I mutter, fishing it out of my pocket to turn it off. “Oh…” I glance up at Archer. “It’s Todd.”

“Answer it,” Archer says, letting me go. “Could be important.”

I turn away and put the phone to my ear. “Todd? Is everything alright?”

“I’d say,” he answers. “You made $9.5 million today!”

“I what?”

He snorts. “Like you don’t know.”

“I really have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Todd sighs. “Heath Stratton called Peter today and said we’ll be getting a $9.5 million wire transfer on Monday!”

I whirl around and gape at Archer. He frowns at me. “He did what?”

“Yup,” Todd says. I can hear him grinning through the phone. “Peter stopped by looking for you, wanted to tell you himself, but I told him you were at your engagement party.”

“You’re kidding,” I breathe.

“That’s not all, Quinn. Peter’s giving you a promotion.”

“I know,” I say, “though it’s still not on paper.”

“No, he’s giving you another promotion. You’re going to be the Senior Director of Development, girl! You’ll be his number two, which is higher up on the food chain than your boss.”

I’m in shock. Finding out that my engagement party was now at GAC had nothing on this. “Todd—”

“We’re finally free from Marisa The Monster! I don’t think she knows that yet, because I haven’t seen her huffing around—”

“Todd!” I shout.

Archer mouths “Is everything okay?” and I nod. “Todd, I have to go,” I say.

“Okay, but before you go, do you want ‘East’ or ‘Stratton’ on your new business cards.”

My breath catches in my throat. “Do I want…” I trail off, not comprehending.

“Your last name,” Todd says. “I’d rather not order new ones in a few months if you’re changing it.”

I raise my eyes to Archer. Stratton. I want Stratton.

“I’ll get back to you,” I answer. “Thanks, Todd.” I click off, throw my phone in my purse, and let out a humungous breath.

Archer takes my hand. “What happened? You look like you’re about to faint.”

“I might,” I answer, holding my head. “I think I need to sit down.”

Archer takes my arm and leads me toward the studio. He pushes through the doors, and we slip inside. Classes must have been canceled due to the party because the tables are empty. It’s quiet, peaceful, and all ours.

Archer helps me to a chair, then settles in one next to me. “What happened, Quinn?” he asks, his brow furrowing.

“I got a promotion.”

“You got a…” Archer jumps up and throws his arms around me. “That’s great! I’m so proud of you.”

“Actually, I think I have your father to thank.”

Archer ducks his head and pulls away.

“Or maybe you to thank?” I ask, watching his face. He meets my eyes, and I know I’m right. “Why?” I ask, shaking my head. “You don’t have to pay off your gift this fast. Sure, this means the project can started faster, but your father should be using that money for the campaign—”

Archer leans over and stifles my words with his lips. I pull back. “Now wait a minute, Stratton, that’s not going to work.”

He reaches a hand around my head, drags me toward him, and takes my lips with his. I try to fight it, but my body revolts against my head. I lean into him, wrapping my arms around his neck and pressing closer.

After a moment, Archer pulls back. “My father has plenty of money. Between Stratton Financial and the family Trust, us Strattons are doing fine.”

“But it’s not a priority—”

“Your my priority, East,” he interrupts, holding my eyes with his. “You’re family now, remember? And nothing is more important than family.”

I bite my lip. That’s what I said to him at The Met that night. I can’t believe he remembered.

“You know I’m not really family,” I answer. “We’re an act.”

Archer stands up and eases down on one knee. “I’d like to fix that right now.”

“What are you doing?” I ask slowly, my heart hammering as I gaze down at him.

“I’m asking the woman I love a question…” He reaches into his pocket and takes out a red velvet box with Cartier stamped across the top. “A question that I asked once before, but for all the wrong reasons.”

He pops up the box and my hand flies to my mouth. A beautiful diamond-studded infinity ring is nestled inside.

Archer reaches out and grasps my left hand. “I’m righting that wrong, East,” he says, slipping the heirloom off my ring finger. “I’m asking for your hand, your partnership, and your love. I’m asking for a lifetime of bickering because you drive me up the wall, and a lifetime of passion because you drive me crazy.”

“Archer…” I whisper.

He takes a deep breath. “Quinn Rosemary East, will you marry me?”

I look around at the studio of my childhood, then down at the man kneeling in front of me. This place made me who I am today, but Archer Stratton is my future.

I climb down out of my chair and kneel with Archer on the floor. I take his face in my hands and give him the only answer on my lips.

“Yes. Yes I will.”

As he slips the infinity ring onto my finger and folds me into his arms, I don’t think about the past or what the future holds. I just kneel there with the man I love; the man who turned my world upside down and inside out one evening in June.

“Archer,” I say, tears streaming my cheeks, “I’ve never been happier that I interrupted an irritating stranger sitting in front of a rather unsettling Manet.”

Archer leans his forehead against mine. “I know,” he says, a smirk tugging at his lips. “And who would’ve guessed that this same nettlesome woman would one day be his future wife?”

Touché.

I grin at my real fiancé. “I sure didn’t.”