Sir put his arm around Brie. “I’d say you and I have far more fun now.”
“You got that right.” Master Anderson rubbed his hands together excitedly. “Not only have I found the perfect shoe, but she’s damn beautiful inside and out.”
“She is,” Brie agreed.
Master Anderson suddenly scanned the area, asking, “Is there anything I’ve forgotten?”
Sir placed his hand on Master Anderson’s shoulder. “The night will go flawlessly. There’s nothing to worry about.”
“You’re right, buddy,” he said, nodding. “Everything is in place.” He winked at Brie. “The only thing left is for my future fiancée to say yes.”
Sir chuckled after shutting the door behind Master Anderson. “I’ve never seen the man so rattled.”
Brie giggled. “It’s the sweetest thing ever.”
While Brie was grabbing her purse before heading out with Sir, a flash of blue caught her eye. “Oh, no!”
“What’s wrong?” Sir asked, hoisting the camera bag onto his shoulder.
Brie bent down to pick up the velvet ring box. “Master Anderson must have dropped this when he slapped me on the back so enthusiastically.”
Sir laughed when he saw the box. “Anderson has certainly enjoyed pranking me over the years. I think it’s time I repay the favor.”
Brie’s eye widened. “What are you planning to do, Sir?”
“Nothing…for now,” he said with a sly grin, taking the box from her and slipping it into his pocket “I can’t imagine how bad he’s going to sweat once he figures out he lost it. Won’t that make for a fun conversation in the years to come?”
Brie stared at him dumbfounded. “You never cease to surprise me, Sir.”
He tweaked her nose. “That’s how I prefer it.”
The drive was beautiful. Brie couldn’t help but admire the scenery flashing by once they got to the winding roads leading up to the hilltop restaurant. She could understand why Master Anderson had chosen this place. The view of LA was breathtaking and made the perfect backdrop for his proposal.
The owner greeted them personally. She was thrilled to help execute Master Anderson’s proposal. “I enjoy getting to play cupid in situations like this,” she confessed to Brie as she led them to their table.
While Sir was setting up the camera equipment, the owner pointed to a large empty table on the opposite side of the ornate half-wall that separated them. “Shey will be sitting here, so you’ll be out of her line of sight, but you can still get the quality shots you’re looking for.”
“Babygirl, can you sit there so I can take a few practice shots?” Sir asked her.
Sitting down in Shey’s assigned chair, Brie pretended that Master Anderson was proposing to her and made sure to wear a properly shocked expression.
“Is everything okay, miss?”
Brie blushed and turned in her chair, coming face to face with a large “package” outlined in a tight-fitting pair of jeans. She looked up to see a handsome older gentleman grinning down at her.
Brie popped out of the chair and held out her hand to Master Anderson’s dad. “It’s lovely to see you again, Mr. Anderson.”
While she was shaking hands with the man, she glanced over at his wife and their three daughters. “You all must be so excited!”
Instead of answering, Brie was tackled by Master Anderson’s three sisters hugging her all at once. She glanced over to see Sir lowering his camera and smiling at her.
“When Brad first told us about Shey, we knew she was the one,” Master Anderson’s mother told Brie, her green eyes sparkling with delight.
“Is there anything we can do to help?” his father asked.
Sir walked up to them and set the camera down. He was given the same enthusiastic hugs from Master Anderson’s sisters. It warmed Brie’s heart to see the joy on Sir’s face as he greeted Master Anderson’s family.
She silently picked up the camera without anyone noticing and took a few shots to capture the moment.
Brie was surprised when Sir told the family about Master Anderson leaving the ring behind at their house. When they asked what Sir planned to do about it, the entire family broke out in laughter loving his idea.
Brie shook her head, thinking, They’re all crazy.
When the owner returned to the table to tell them the valet was parking Master Anderson’s truck, everyone quickly took their seats.
Brie’s smile was so wide her lips almost hurt when she saw Master Anderson walking up to the table escorting Shey. He was dressed in a striking three-piece business suit and was wearing polished cowboy boots and his black Stetson.
Totally melt-worthy…
Shey wore a white gown decorated with silver filigree that beautifully highlighted her long curly red hair. Brie knew Master Anderson had picked out the dress first, and then planned his suit accordingly, wanting to complement Shey’s dress. He’d explained to Brie earlier, “She is the star and I want her to shine tonight, like the diamond she is.”
Brie had never seen Shey’s parents before. They were an older couple and seemed especially shy and quiet as they sat down. It was an interesting contrast to Master Anderson’s family, who were anything but shy.
Sir had the camera aimed at the group and was furiously taking pictures as the two families greeted each other.
Brie was lucky. They were seated close enough that she could hear their conversation and was soon treated to stories about both Master Anderson and Shey when they were young.
Christina, Master Anderson’s youngest sister, piped up. “How did you two meet? I bet it was romantic…”
Master Anderson pushed his hat back, grinning at Shey. “If I recall right, I had a meeting with Carl, but you showed up instead.”
Shey giggled. “I did.”
Master Anderson leaned in close to Christina. “I bet you didn’t know this, but Shey is a real card shark. She beat the pants off me.”
Shey’s laughter went up an octave.
Brie had to stifle her own laughter, having heard all about their little game of strip poker the night they first met.
When the waiter came and passed out the menu, Brie heard Shey’s father tsk when he saw the prices. “I know you said you were paying for the meal, but I insist on chipping in.”
Master Anderson’s father agreed. “Pay for yourself and your lovely date. I’ll pick up my brood’s share.”
Master Anderson laughed at them both. “Absolutely not. I’m buying, and I won’t take no for an answer.” The two fathers opened up the menus again without complaint.
When the waiter came back over, everyone at the table, including Shey, ordered the cheapest meal on the menu.
Master Anderson told the waiter, “Let me have that ticket order.”
When the man handed it to him, Master Anderson tore it into little pieces in front of everyone and asked the waiter, “Can you please give us a few minutes?”
Brie found it both sweet and hilarious. None of them knew that Master Anderson not only could afford the lavish dinner but could buy the entire restaurant if he wanted.
Looking at both families, Master Anderson told them, “I know you mean well, but please order whatever you want on the menu. Heck, you can even order two main courses if you like. I picked this restaurant because of the food, and I want you all to enjoy it.” Putting his hand on his heart, he told them, “I will be severely insulted if you don’t.”