Khizar held his hands lightly pressed over Jacqui’s eyes, not letting her see where they were just yet. He’d spent a week planning this moment, and, more importantly, the moment after, when he would ask Jacqui about Bill Bauer.

Surprisingly, though, he found himself caught up in the moment. He wanted her to enjoy that evening, and if he were being honest with himself, he was looking forward to enjoying it, too.

“Okay, now you can look.”

Khizar dropped his hands, running them down Jacqui’s arms.

She took in the water, the empty lakefront, and the picnic setting, looking from one side of the scene to the other. There was no one else for as far as they could see in any direction; even the boats on the water were staying at a respectful distance.

There was an open pavilion draped with billowing lengths of light pink fabric, tied with white and yellow ribbons. The back of the pavilion was filled with large arrangements of flowers, creating a wall of roses, orchids, violets, and lilies.

In front of the pavilion, a large, soft picnic blanket stretched out over the grass. The blanket was covered with piles of lush pillows, and rose petals were strewn everywhere. On one corner of the blanket, a picnic basket waited for them, as well as a champagne in a bucket of ice and two crystal glasses edged in gold.

“Oh, Khizar, it’s lovely.” She looked around again, and Khizar saw a moment of puzzlement cross her face. “It’s always so crowded out here, especially this time of year. Where is everyone?”

He waggled his eyebrows. “Sheikh’s privilege.”

Jacqui laughed. “I don’t think that works here.”

He laughed with her, liking how it felt.

“Okay, fair enough. I got a special event permit from the city for tonight. It just happens that our event is only for two people.”

She leaned back against him, and he found that his arms automatically wanted to wrap around her.

“Well, in that case, I’m looking forward to this special event.”

If she knew what was coming, Khizar thought, she didn’t give any sign of it. So, he took her hand and led her to sit on the blanket. He poured a glass of champagne for each of them.

“Jacqui, this last month has been unexpected. I didn’t come to Milwaukee looking to find the one woman in the world I want to spend every second of time with. Being with you has been a gift, one that I don’t intend to squander.”

He held up his glass to her in a toast. Jacqui clinked her glass with his and drank from it.

The sun was setting behind them, bathing everything on the waterfront in a soft, golden light. Khizar fixed them each a small plate—oysters, caviar, dates stuffed with a rich goat cheese—and they nibbled while the light faded and the stars came out.

“So, are you going to tell me where you’ve been the last few days? Someplace fabulous?” Jacqui asked.

He smiled at her and raised an eyebrow.

“I’ve been hard at work, I promise. Tracking things down, putting things together. But hopefully, all that work will have been worth it.”

“How many store owners have you convinced to sell your jewelry?”

“This week, not a one. My project was a bit more specialized.”

Jacqui gave him a puzzled look, but Khizar only grinned at her and wouldn’t tell her anything else. Instead, they chatted about Jacqui’s week and about how pretty the waterfront area was. Khizar kept the conversation light; he didn’t want her to bring up anything more serious before he sprung the surprise.

Just after the last bit of light disappeared from the sky and it was well and truly dark, Khizar’s phone dinged. Jacqui gave him a questioning look, but Khizar only smiled mysteriously and pointed up.

Jacqui looked up and waited, then gasped when the first set of fireworks went off. She whipped her head around to look at Khizar.

“You did this?” she asked, and he could tell she was delighted.

Khizar brought her hand to his lips and then pointed her gaze back to the fireworks. “I did. It’s a special show, just for you.”

Jacqui laughed, and Khizar warmed at how happy she sounded.

“Me, and anyone on this side of Lake Michigan looking up right now.”

Khizar watched the fireworks with her, the blues and reds and greens exploding in patterns over the water. There were shapes: a heart, a smiley face, which made her laugh, and flowers. There were cascades of gold and silver that looked like glitter falling from the sky.

Jacqui laughed and applauded with each new volley of fireworks, and Khizar watched her. Towards what he knew was going to be the grand finale, he leaned toward her and said low in her ear, “This show is special, and it is just for you, since you’re the only one who can answer that question.”

Jacqui glanced at him. “What question?”

Khizar pointed up at the sky again and Jacqui turned to see the words “Jacqui, will you marry me?” written in in dazzling letters in the night sky. She sucked in a breath and turned back to find Khizar kneeling on the blanket with a black velvet box open in his hand.

One hand flew to her mouth and Khizar could see the joy on her face, even though she had tears in her eyes.

“Jacqui, the last month has been the happiest of my life. Will you make the rest of my life just as happy, and be my wife?”

She nodded vigorously, unable to speak, and held her left hand out. Khizar slipped the custom-made diamond ring on her finger, and then found himself holding her as she flung her arms around his neck.

“Yes. Yes, of course I will,” Jacqui spoke through tears as she finally answered.

Khizar held her, unexpectedly affected by her emotion. She sounded so happy. And the look on her face… It was joy like he’d never seen.

Suddenly, he felt terrible. A pit opened up in his stomach and he wished that he’d never heard of Bill Bauer’s diamond, because this stunning woman deserved better.

Jacqui pulled back just a bit, and then leaned in to kiss him, hands on either side of his face. Khizar had planned on avoiding such physical contact tonight, past a few kisses, but the touch of her lips on his sparked a fire he didn’t know existed.

He nudged her mouth open and plundered it with his tongue. She welcomed him, pressing her body against his and sliding her hands down his back.

Khizar put one hand on her neck, pulling her as close as he could. The other hand traced her skin, fingertips brushing across her neck and arms. He wanted to touch more of her, wanted to taste her.

He kissed a trail down her neck, thrilling at her quick intake of breath as he dipped his tongue just below the neckline of her dress. He kissed his way back up, lingering over her shoulder, pulling the strap of her dress aside so he could taste the skin there, too.

Jacqui pulled at his jacket, sliding it off his shoulders. With trembling hands, she unbuttoned his shirt so that she could touch him. Khizar hadn’t known that he could want someone’s touch so much, and he held himself still, barely breathing, while she caressed him.

She looked at him and smiled brilliantly, and Khizar caught his breath at the expression in her eyes. He let go of everything else, and kissed her deeply, laying her down on the blanket, losing himself in the moment.