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I roll my eyes. “That’s the last thing you’d want. Besides, I’m a practical woman. I don’t need crazy overtures like that to know Gideon loves me.”
Alice smirks. “Well, you never know what your handsome, possessive gorgon has up his sleeve.”
No sooner have the words left her mouth than the lights dim slightly, and the karaoke bar comes to life. I frown, knowing it’s a little early for the singing to begin. And why is the place so damned crowded already? Is the food that good?
The air is suddenly filled with the loud screech of a microphone, startling me. I wince and look at the stage. A guy stands there in a green T-shirt and sunglasses holding the mic.Instead of hands, he has pincers. Why the heck he needs the sunglasses in a dimly-lit restaurant is beyond me. Then he takes them off, and I see his eyes are on stalks like a crab. Ah, that’s why. Guess he has crustacean DNA. The guy is taking his life in his hands working in a sushi restaurant.
“Sorry about that, folks,” he says in a strange warbling tone. “We’re kicking things off a little earlier tonight. Thank you for joining us at Spooky Sushi, and welcome all you crooners out there who have already signed up for a chance on the mic,” the man says, his beard as long as his T-shirt.
Alice grins wickedly as she looks at the stage. She has a weird gleam in her eye.
A throat clears loudly through the mic, and the intro to the song starts—Honey Bee by Tom Petty. I frown and tear my gaze from Alice to the stage as an oddly familiar voice begins to sing.
I freeze. No, it can’t be.
Gideon?
My mouth drops open. There on the stage is my gorgon. He’s dressed in a tight black T-shirt, jeans that hug his muscular thighs, and black boots. And he looks … Hot. As. Fuck. His snakes sway to the music, but his eyes are on me. He’s singing to me.
Alice's grin widens, and she nudges me. “Well, look who it is!”
Gideon looks completely at ease, his deep voice carrying through the restaurant and drawing the attention of everyone around. I can’t help but smile, enchanted by this playful side of him.
The song ends with a flourish, and the crowd applauds enthusiastically. Gideon sets the microphone down and walks over to our booth, a nervous but determined look in his eyes. My heart pounds in my chest.
“Alice, you knew about this?” I ask, turning to her.
She beams at me. “Of course! He needed a little help to pull off the surprise.”
Gideon steps off the stage and kneels beside our table, pulling out a small velvet box. The restaurant grows silent, the other patrons watching intently. He opens the box to reveal a beautiful, intricate ring, the gemstone glinting in the dim light.
“Verity,” he begins, his voice steady despite the slight tremor in his hands. “These past few months with you have been incredible because you are incredible.”
I glance at Alice, who’s practically vibrating with excitement, then back at Gideon. The sincerity in his eyes takes my breath away.
“The best thing that ever happened to me is you. Will you marry me, Verity?” he asks, his eyes locked onto mine, filled with hope and love.
I’m speechless, the world narrowing to just the two of us. Gathering my scattered senses, I nod, tears welling in my eyes. “Yes, Gideon. Yes!”
The restaurant erupts in cheers as Gideon slips the ring onto my finger and pulls me into a deep kiss.
Alice claps excitedly, leaning over to give us both a hug. “Congratulations, you two! I knew this would be perfect.”
As I look around at the smiling faces and sink into Gideon’s arms, I realize that this moment is more magical than any discovery we’ve made. It’s the beginning of a new adventure, one we’ll embark on together.
“I can’t believe you did that. You got up here and sang your heart out for me, Gideon.” I pull back to look at him, no longer scared to fall into his amber-gold gaze because my Gideon would never hurt me.“My heart just about stopped when I saw you.”
“But did you die?” he whispers, reminding me of the day we met.
I laugh and kiss him again. “No, I fell in love with you instead.”
Gideon smiles and kisses the tip of my nose, his fingers lingering along my jawline. “I found a lot more than love when I found you, Verity Rogers. I found a new life. A new purpose.”
My heart thuds in my chest as warmth spreads through my body. Those may be the sweetest words I’ve ever heard. “Promise not to turn me to stone again?”
Gideon crosses his arms over his chest and huffs as though he’s offended. “Look, that’s never happened to me before. It’s been a long time since I petrified someone without meaning to.” He smirks and pulls me close again, palming my ass. “Seeing you that day got me a little … overexcited.”
The crab guy running the karaoke comes back on the stage to ask for another round of applause for Gideon and to congratulate us on our engagement, and the customers all cheer and call out their well wishes.
