He led her over to the door and she watched as her bags were being unloaded from his car. “The fact that you are very efficient and already packed helped out a lot.”
“But…I thought we were going to the beach. Will what I have packed even work for where we’re going?” She paused. “And that is…?”
Instead of answering, he led her farther back into the plane and motioned to one of the many large leather seats. “It’s a surprise.”
“Brody…” she whined. “This isn’t funny! I’m not good with surprises. I had our whole beach week planned out! All my outfits…shoes…what if what I packed doesn’t work for where we’re going?”
“Then I’ll have to take you shopping and get you whatever you want because I was the jerk who tried to surprise you,” he said blandly, but she saw a hint of a smile.
“You’re not a jerk…”
“Thanks.”
“So where are we going?”
With a dramatic sigh, he reached into his pocket and handed her…her passport. “Right now, we’re flying to New York where we’ll spend the night. Then tomorrow, we head to Paris for a week.”
“Paris!” she cried. “Are you kidding me? Really?”
He nodded but never got to say anything else because she flung herself into his lap and kissed him. “I wanted it to be a surprise but I never realized how much you disliked that sort of thing.”
“Yeah, I really do. I’m too curious for my own good,” she said, hugging him tight. “Paris! Oh my goodness! I’m totally not prepared for this and we’re definitely going to have to shop.” She gasped. “The girls! I’ll need to tell the girls what’s going on! If they need me, they won’t realize the time difference and…”
He silenced her with a kiss and once she settled, he lifted his head. “The girls are one hundred percent in on this. There’s an extra suitcase packed for you with all new stuff. Josie did the shopping but Skylar said to tell you that she approved of everything and not to be scared.”
“Oh, okay. Whew!”
“I went to them last month with this idea and they made sure your schedule was clear and that all your clients were going to be well taken care of. But once we’re in the air, you can totally call them.”
“Wow! You really thought of everything!”
“I tried. It wasn’t easy making sure both of our schedules were cleared.”
“I’m sure it wasn’t.”
“However…I did find out something very interesting this week that…well…took me by surprise.”
Frowning, she climbed off his lap and sat back in her seat. “That sounds serious. Is everything okay?”
Nodding, he explained, “Dad’s back at work full-time and we were going over some contracts when he asked about this trip.”
“O-kay…”
“Then he let it slip that he had a conversation with you the day he came home from the hospital.”
“Oh, he…uh…he mentioned that, huh?”
The look of amusement on his face was adorable. “He did. Then he told me how you put him in his place while telling him how amazing I am.”
“Well…you are amazing.”
“Then he finished up by telling me that I better not let you get away because you’re the best woman in the world for me.” He chuckled. “Actually, he said you were too good for me and I shouldn’t screw this up, so…”
“So…?”
“I promised myself I’d wait until we were standing in front of the Eiffel Tower or Notre Dame or while walking along the Seine, but…” He took one of her hands in his. “Leanna Baker, a few months ago I told you I wanted a life with you and how you are my home. But the thing is…there’s still something missing.”
She felt herself starting to shake and tears stung her eyes and she wanted to wipe them away but that meant breaking the moment.
“I want more than what we have right now. And the more I thought about it, the more I realized I might have to do some of my best negotiating to make that happen.”
“Oh, really?”
He nodded. “I want you to be my wife,” he said softly. “I want a life where we’re married and have kids and a dog. A life where we travel together. As a family.” Pausing, he caressed her hand. “But more than anything, I want you to make me the happiest man in the world. Will you marry me and create that life with me?”
She hated how she was openly bawling as she said yes. Brody sealed the deal with a kiss.
When she lifted her head moments later and smiled at him, she told him, “I really like the way you negotiate, Brody King. And I can’t wait to spend my life with you.”
“Excuse me, Mr. King? Ms. Baker? We’re preparing for takeoff,” Robyn told them before walking away.
So they buckled their seatbelts and held hands as the plane lifted off the ground. Leanna was excited because it was the perfect proposal and they were heading off to her dream vacation as a newly-engaged couple, but…
No ring.
She glanced over at Brody and then at her hand and wondered how to broach the subject. Unfortunately, her good manners kept her from saying anything all throughout their flight.
And their stay in New York.
And the flight the next day to Paris.
Honestly, she had no idea how much longer she could go without at least mentioning a ring, but luckily, Brody put her out of her misery. They were finishing breakfast in the hotel garden–which was really an oasis of flowers lined by plush drawing rooms and a colonnade adorned by blossoming orange trees–when Brody smiled up at her.
“How do you like Paris so far?”
“Right now? It’s one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. This garden is amazing. I’m not sure anything could top this.”
And that’s when he got down on one knee and presented a magnificent antique princess cut ring to her. “I told you I knew I should have waited, but watching you staring at your hand for the last two days had been a bit of fun.” He winked. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it until my dying breath, I love you.” Sliding the ring onto her finger, Leanna could only look down in awe.
“I would have been fine without one,” she murmured. “You know, if you would have just told me…”
“Got it. No more surprises.” He rose and kissed her soundly. “Now let’s get going. I’ve made arrangements for you to work with some of the hotel’s pastry chefs this afternoon and I know there’s a lot that you want to see so…”
“Pastry chefs? Really?” she asked excitedly. “But…how?”
He kissed her again. “I made a few inquiries because I wanted to surprise you.”
“You just said…” she teased but immediately laughed. “Thank you.”
“You are very welcome.” He held out his arm to her. “Now let’s get started. If we’re going to eat our way around Paris, we’re going to have to do a lot of walking to work some of it off.”
“Hmm…I hadn’t thought of that. I might have to…hit the gym with you.”