“A few weeks ago I was talking to a woman who had a great boyfriend. She wanted him to propose but rather than tell him that, she was trying to subtly show him what he should do.”

“Men don’t understand subtle,” one woman yelled.

Sam smiled. “You’re right. We don’t. I told her that if she really loved the man in question, she had to be honest. Which is why I’m here today. To be honest with the woman I love.”

Dellina froze in place. Her gaze locked with his. The need to run was gone. She wanted to stay exactly where she was. Only this was Sam and—

“You don’t have to do this,” she called out toward the stage. “Not publically. Sam, you’ll hate it.”

“I won’t,” he told her. “You deserve this.” He returned his attention to the crowd. “I’ve had some bad luck with women in the past.”

“We know,” someone yelled. “We met your ex a couple of weeks ago.”

Sam smiled. “Yeah, well, what can I say? I was young.”

“And she was willing?”

“She was.” His humor faded. “Unfortunately what I learned from her was not to trust. And that lesson was reinforced several times. So when I met a beautiful, bright, loving, giving woman, I wasn’t prepared to trust her. I wasn’t prepared for her to offer her heart.” He looked down at her. “I was wrong, Dellina. About so many things. Mostly I was wrong not to recognize your love for the incredible gift it is.”

She glanced to her right and saw stairs leading to the stage. She raced toward them, then ran up and joined him. He pulled her close.

“I love you,” he said as he shoved the microphone back onto the stand. “I was a fool.”

“It’s okay. It’s not like I changed my mind.”

She stared into his eyes and saw the welcome there. He kissed her and she felt the promise on his lips. His arms were never going to let go.

“You still love me?” he asked.

“Yes. For always.” She glanced at the people watching them. “But why like this? It’s your nightmare—being so public.”

“I figured you deserved witnesses.” He cupped her face in his hands. “Will you marry me?”

She kissed him. “Of course. Oh, Sam.” She straightened. “I have cats. At least, I think I do. Is that okay?”

He chuckled. “Sure. I could like cats.”

“They’re really nice.”

“Hey,” someone yelled. “What did she say?”

Sam reached for the microphone. “She said yes.”

* * * * *

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