Page 549 of Manhattan Bossholes

“No way,” I shot back immediately. “I don’t want to be a boss. I’m done with that.”

James laughed at me. “Yeah, trust me, I know that. I’d want you to be the head of design, but in a one hundred percent creative capacity. I’m envisioning high end couture stuff. Just a couple dozen bespoke gowns per season.”

My heart swelled at the thought of it. I loved every bit of designing for Branson, but the chance to launch my own line, with my singular vision, was a dream come true. Instead of adhering to the corporate vibe, I could create my own vision from the ground up. I’d craft dresses for the traditional girlie-girl brides, as well as more cutting-edge stuff for women like me, who might like a touch of black or navy mixed in with their virginal white.

“What do you think?” James asked.

“I think it’s the best idea I’ve ever heard,” I exclaimed. “Yes, yes, yes!”

I jumped into his arms and covered his face with kisses. The offer meant that James truly understood what was important to me. Creativity, independence, and a chance to bring all of the dreams in my trusty old sketchbook to life.

I rested my head against his chest, and he circled his arms around me.

“One last thing,” he murmured as he planted a kiss on the top of my head.

“James, no,” I complained, pummeling him with soft punches. “It’s after five, we’re done, okay? No more work talk.”

“C’mon, give me one more minute!” He laughed, trying to hold me down. “Because I have the best idea to launch the new direction. A singular dress, the dress of your dreams, worn by the perfect spokesmodel.”

I paused and cocked my head. “Skyler?”

James shook his head, then slid me off his lap. I watched in shock as he went down on one knee in front of me.

“No. You.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out the most beautiful ring I’d ever seen, then held it out to me. “Will you marry me, Natalie Reynolds?”

I stared at James in shock as tears flooded my eyes.

He smiled up at me. “I can wait down here as long as you need. Just say make sure to eventually say yes.”

It took me a few seconds to put together that this was my real life. I collapsed into his arms in a full-on weep, because never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that we’d find our way to this moment.

“Yes, James,” I sobbed. “Yes, forever.”

He stroked my hair as we embraced. “That’s what I wanted to hear.”

James held me until I could finally collect myself enough to look at the ring. I gave him my hand and he slipped it on. “Emerald-cut diamond with a diamond-encrusted platinum band, right? Isn’t that what you said you wanted?”

I sniffled as I examined the gorgeous thing. “But…this isn’t the one from Tiffany’s. It’s huge, James!”

He laughed. “You know I like things bigger and better. I called my friend at Veritique and told him what I needed, then coordinated with his designers to hash out the specifics. It’s one of a kind, just for you.”

We sat on the teak floorboards, holding one another as the light faded.

“I hope you know that you’re not just marrying me,” James finally said softly. “You’re marrying into a dynasty. Bernie, my mom, Christopher…they’re all part of the package. You sure you’re okay with that?”

Silent tears spilled down my cheeks at the thought of it. “Don’t you know that’s all I’ve ever wanted?” I whispered shakily. “To be a part of a family?”

He squeezed me closer to his chest. “Well, you’ve got one. And maybe one day…” He trailed off.

“What?” I asked. I wiped my tears away and leaned back to look into his eyes. “Say it.”

“Maybe,” he murmured, “if we’re extra lucky, we’ll be able to add our own branches to the old family tree.”

I didn’t answer him with words. I couldn’t, because I was about to burst from the strangest mixture of happiness, excitement, and yes, a tiny bit of fear of the unknown. Instead of trying to find the right thing to say, I kissed him, deep and full of promise. I wanted to show him with my body exactly how much I loved him. How much I loved us.

We both knew what was going to come next. We’d find the sweetest release in one another’s arms today, and thanks to the ring on my finger, forever.