“Where are we going?” Tally said as Cash helped her into the car the following evening after they’d spent the day reliving the sights from their first trip.

“Jules Verne. I know how much you loved it last time.”

Tally smiled. “Oh, I did. The view from the top is fabulous.”

When Tally stepped out of the elevator into the restaurant, Cash’s warm hand in the small of her back, she halted immediately. Her eyes widened as she scanned the area. Three smartly dressed staff waited to greet them, but whereas she’d expected to see tables of hungry diners, the restaurant was completely empty. Vases of flowers adorned every table, the aroma heavily scenting the air. Candles provided the only light, their flickering flames creating a deeply intimate vibe, and music played from hidden speakers.

“I wanted tonight to be special,” Cash said, his breath warm on her skin as he whispered in her ear.

Tally twisted around. “You’re spoiling me.”

“You deserve to be spoilt.” He gestured with his hand. “Let’s sit down.”

Tally followed the waiter over to a table that had been set up next to the window overlooking Champ de Mars. The exact same spot as the last time they’d dined there.

“You never forget a thing, do you, ace?”

“Not where you’re concerned.”

The pop of a champagne cork made her jump, and she squinted. “Are we celebrating?”

He paused until the waiter retreated, then clinked his glass with hers. “It’s our seven-month anniversary. Seven months today since you agreed to go on a date with me.”

She touched the base of her neck. “Is it? God, you’re right. Christmas Day.”

“I sat outside your flat for ages. I watched everyone inside enjoying themselves, and I didn’t think you wanted to see me.”

“I was desperate to see you.”

“You never called. After I threw my contact card on the table like a complete dick, I was certain you’d blink first. But you didn’t.”

“Ah,” Tally said with a smile. “You’ve got Em to thank for that. If I’d been on my own, I’m sure I would have caved. Em persuaded me to play it cool, convinced if I did you’d come running.”

“Smart girl,” he said with a half-grin that looked more like a grimace. “I’m going to fucking kill her the next time our paths cross.”

Tally chuckled. “Do you think we’d be sitting here now if I had chased after you?”

“Yep.”

She raised her eyebrows. “You do?”

“You’d captured my heart, even then. Of course, I was totally in denial because I’d never felt so strongly about a woman before.”

“It was a long five weeks.”

He grimaced. “Longest of my life.”

Tally drummed her fingers on the table, desperate to ask him about that time in Australia but scared of the answer. Oh, what the hell. “Did you hook up during those five weeks in Australia?”

Cash frowned. “You mean did I fuck someone?”

Tally winced at his bluntness, wishing she hadn’t asked. “Yeah.”

Cash’s mouth twisted in a half-smile. “You think I’d have been able to get it up for another woman? No, baby. The minute I kissed you at Rupe’s place, my screwing-around days were over.” He reached across the table and took one of her hands in both of his. “You were the only woman I wanted after that. The only one I’ll ever want.”

Tally’s eyes filled with tears, but she blinked them away. She hadn’t realised, until that point, how much it would have hurt if he’d slept with someone in Australia, even though she had no right to demand monogamy. At least, not then.

“How long have you been wanting to ask me that question?”

Her mouth twisted. “Forever.”

He chuckled. “Shall we order?”

The food was even better than last time, and when Tally finally pushed her plate away, her stomach felt fit to burst. “I’m stuffed. Couldn’t eat another thing.”

“They do the best crème brûlée here.”

Tally sighed. “What did you have to go and say that for?”

She could take or leave most desserts, but when that particular one appeared on the menu, her good intentions went out of the window.

Cash waved his hand. “Two crème brûlées, please.”

Five minutes later, the waiter placed the delicious custard dessert in front of her, and it looked so good she forgot her earlier comments about being full. She stuck her spoon through the crisp top, and the caramelised sugar gave way to a creamy, perfectly made crème pâtissière.

“Oh my God, this is amazing.”

She tipped up the shallow bowl to make sure she scooped up every bit of the custard. As she ate the last remnants, she noticed the bottom of the dish had black writing on it. She held it up in the dim light and saw the words, “Will you marry me?”

Her head snapped back so fast she cricked her neck. Ignoring the sharp pain, she stared open-mouthed as Cash got down on one knee beside her. His outstretched palm held a small blue box from Tiffany & Co. Nestled in the satin was a large oval-shaped diamond set in a platinum band.

Tally’s hand flew over her mouth, and this time, furious blinking did not stop tears from streaming down her cheeks.

“Natalia McKenzie, I love you more than I ever thought possible. You’re my light, my life, my heart and soul. My everything. Will you marry me?”

She dashed away the tears with the back of her hand. “Yes. Oh, God, yes, yes, yes.”

In a state of shock, she flung her arms around his neck. She had not seen this coming. Cash hadn’t shown even the tiniest bit of nerves. As he slipped the ring on her finger, she suddenly giggled.

“Something funny?” he said.

“What would you have done if I’d refused the crème brûlée? Or if I hadn’t finished it?”

He grinned. “I honestly don’t know. I hedged my bets on the fact that you haven’t refused one yet. Every time they’re on the menu, you cave.”

“You know me too well.”

“I think there’s still plenty to learn. And I’m looking forward to you teaching me.”

She held her left hand up to the light. The diamond sparkled and glinted as flames from the candles reflected off the polished stone.

“If you don’t like it, Tiffany’s will happily exchange it for something else.”

“Exchange it? I love it.”

“Thank God,” he said, clasping a hand to his chest.

“Did you tell anyone you were going to ask me?”

“Only my mother. If you’d said no, I wanted as little public humiliation as possible. Plus Rupe can’t hold water let alone a secret as big as this, and I didn’t want to put Emmalee or Pete in a tough spot by asking them not to tell you.”

“You thought I might say no?”

“I hoped like hell you wouldn’t, but we’ve never talked about marriage. I didn’t know whether you’d think it was too soon.”

She skimmed his cheek with her palm. “Not a chance.”

His eyes shone as he moved in to kiss her. His lips were warm and soft, and Tally melted into his arms. She forgot everything except the feel of his mouth on hers and the strength of his arms cradling her waist.

And the fact she was going to become Mrs Cash Gallagher.