Page 32 of Exposed

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Madison froze, looking at the unmistakable Tiffany and Company case. Her heart fluttered, and her legs were locked. This can’t be what I think it is. As if reading her mind, Alex wrapped his arms around her from behind, nuzzling into her ear.

“It’s not what you think it is,” he said with a light peck. She shot back a perplexed smile at him. “Go ahead. Open it.”

She slowly walked over, as if she might scare it into taking flight if she approached too quickly. Glancing back again, Alex reassured her and motioned her forward with a nod. She scooped it into her hand, feeling it’s velvety exterior as she caressed it in her palms. She lifted it a little before her eyes and held her breath as she built the courage to slowly open it.

Prying the lid up, she could clearly see the truth in Alex’s words. It wasn’t at all what she thought it might be. It was so much more.

Where a ring could have been, a shiny new penny stood upright, with a note tucked in the lid so she could read it when the box was fully propped. The note had three little words.

I’m all in!

Madison’s face erupted into a huge smile. After their first night together, she’d made a wish and poured out her heart in the silent message of a tiny penny left behind. Today, he wished it right back at her, proclaiming his understanding, and promising his heart in return. She turned back to Alex but found him on one knee. She gasped, covering her lips with her hand.

“Madison Elizabeth Taylor ...” She burst out a sweet giggle, not just from the amazing setting and proposal to come, but also because it was the first time she’d heard her entire name out loud for as long as she could remember. She was also a tinge amused that this was the first time her entire name had been used, and she wasn’t in trouble. Yet somehow, she had the sneaking suspicion she was about to get into a whole new kind of trouble. A life filled with risk and adventure, alive with perpetual seduction and unparalleled romance.

Alex proceeded. “I never imagined I could find love, or be loved, so fully and completely. From the day our worlds collided, I was forever changed, and I can’t imagine a single day of the rest of my life without you.” He pulled up a ring, whose brilliance and size seemed to pale in comparison only to that of the glowing full moon above them. “Will you marry me?”

She couldn’t speak and nodded softly through the delightfully sparkling tears streaming down her face. He stood and walked over to her, taking her trembling hands. “Is that a yes?”

Her smile spread across her face. She looked into his eyes and whispered back, “Yes, Alex. Yes.”

He placed the ring on her finger and wiped her tears with his thumbs as he cradled her face in his hands, pulling her into a kiss. Madison’s head swirled. Could this really be happening? To love and be so incredibly and unconditionally loved back? But it was happening.

Low voices pulled Alex delicately from their kiss, and Madison from her thoughts. She peered from his embrace, realizing they weren’t exactly alone. She looked over to see a small audience of her family and friends in the doorway.

Sheila leaned towards Paco, confused and unsure. “Did she say yes?”

Alex heard her and nodded, pulling Madison tightly to him. With that nod, Paco pulled up his phone as he looked at Madison lovingly, bearing a huge grin on his face. “She said yes,” he boomed into the phone. A moment later, Madison jumped at the loud crashing of fireworks overhead. Sheila ran over to hug Madison, who shot back an apologetic glance.

Sheila spotted her worried expression and shoved her bouquet into Madison’s hands. “Don’t worry. Everyone thinks the fireworks are for me and Sam. Only we,” she swirled her hand around at the gathering on the balcony, “know the truth.” Madison graciously took the arrangement, lavishly spilling over with roses and peonies. “And speaking of truth, little miss curious,” Madison immediately blushed at the reference, “the truth is, I couldn’t be happier. And I get why you kept it on the DL, but promise me I get first crack at your wedding announcement.”

“Deal!” Madison reassured her, beaming back at Alex.

With the endless stream of fireworks lighting up the night sky, Alex took a moment to give Madison another breathtaking kiss. His finger brushed a strand of hair behind her shoulder as he looked into her dancing eyes. “I love you, Madison.”

Madison was swept up in the jubilance of being with the man she loved. Her finger traced his jaw, finding a resting spot in the dimple of his chin. She was ready to expose one last tidbit she knew about Alex Drake—a namesake he shared with another man she loved deeply. “I love you too, Alexander Jackson Drake.” With that, they entered another kiss—a bond that carried them through the night and into a new life, and adventure, together.