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He takes a step forward and places his index finger on my lips. "No, let me explain. It's been too long since I've seen you, and I can't wait anymore. No matter what, know that I love you, and I want you, and I'm done wasting time."
I'm surprised, a little confused, and so incredibly turned on. Derrick loves me.
"Derrick, you don't have to be so careful. You can say whatever you want, and I promise, I'll listen."
His mouth tilts up into a half-smile, and he nods, satisfied with my answer. "Let's sit."
He's spread out a blanket, and I settle on it, sitting cross-legged with Derrick at my side, looking out at the ocean.
"I'm ready," I say, smiling. "Whatever you need to say."
"Okay." He takes a deep breath. "My name is Derrick Anders. That part is true. But before I came here, I lived in the city. A penthouse suite in one of the most exclusive buildings in the city, overlooking Central Park."
"Oh," is all I can say.
"When I sold my app for such a ridiculous profit, I came to Cape May to retire early. I was hoping for a break away from the pressures of work. I opened Sage and Salt because I wanted something real, something that the community could love, but I never wanted to be the face of it. I wanted to be able to take a step back and see the difference I could make on a small scale. Then I met you and knew that you were my future. Fate led me to open Sage and Salt just so I could see you that day. Now, I want to cement things, Alina. No more secrets. No more what-ifs."
Slowly, he reaches into his pocket. My heart is ready to explode from my ribcage when he pulls out a small velvet box.
"I can't wait anymore, angel. It's been weeks. I love you, and I want the whole world to know it."
I'm shocked, but as he opens the box, the sound escaping me can only be described as a squeal. Inside, sparkling like a star in the candlelight, is a ring. A massive, beautiful ring with a diamond at the center, and a band studded with smaller stones.
"Derrick…"
"I've never felt this way, Alina., about anyone or anything. I don't care if we haven't known each other long. Nothing matters except you and me. Together."
I shake my head, a huge smile on my face. He's being so open and honest, and the tears are welling up in my eyes.
"I don't want to wait. Not another minute or another hour. Alina Brant, will you marry me?"
He holds the ring up, and my entire world spins.
"Yes!" I cry, wrapping my arms around his neck. "I love you, Derrick. So, so much. I don't care about the money or your past. It's just you and me. Nothing else matters."
He slips the ring on my finger and kisses me, and I feel like the luckiest woman in the whole world.
We pull apart, and his forehead rests against mine. "You make me a better person, angel. Every single day, you surprise me, and I can't imagine my life without you in it. Now and always."
"Now and always," I echo, meaning every word of it.
He kisses me again, and the heat builds between us. His hands stroke and squeeze, and soon we lie back on the blanket, the candles burning out one by one as the stars shine brightly above.
EPILOGUE
DERRICK
One Year Later
Alot can happen in a year.
That's the thought that's been running through my mind recently. I'm not the same man I was twelve months ago. For the first time, I feel like I'm really living. I'm happier than I have any right to be, and it's all thanks to my angel.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" Alina laughs.
We're sitting on the porch, looking at the sunrise as we have our morning coffee. After she accepted my marriage proposal, we spent a little more time in Cape May. I wanted her to be sure she made the right decision, and I wanted to enjoy her before we told the world.
Alina, though, had other plans. She wanted to marry right away—the time apart made her utterly attached to my side, and I fucking love every second of it. I wanted to give my angel anything and everything she wanted, so we wed in Hawaii just two weeks after my proposal, with only a few friends and family present.
