AllFreeNovel
Share Us
As they argue the point, Chari catches my eye, and somehow I know what she’s thinking. This is one hell of a family to be a part of. And we both love it.
“I was wondering,” a deep voice says from behind, “if I could steal my girlfriend from you for a few minutes.”
“Steal away,” Lusanne says, “but don’t be gone long. We have to figure out dinner.”
“Lus is hungry. Shocking,” Tris retorts, reaching for my hand.
I take it, reluctantly leaving the balcony and telling the ladies we’ll be right back.
“Where are we going?” I ask as he pulls me into the apartment. “I haven’t even unpacked yet,” I say in protest as he leads me back out, into the hallway.
“I thought we could use a little alone time.”
When the elevator door closes, and Tris takes advantage of the situation by covering my lips with his, my protestations fall away. I like being with his family.
But, I’ll admit, I like this even more.
Unfortunately, the elevator stops way too soon. Attempting to catch my breath, I let Tris lead me through the foyer and onto the promenade we were just looking at from above.
“I’ve never seen anything so beautiful,” I say, the view no less spectacular from down here.
“I have.”
He stops, right in the middle of the walkway and turns to me.
“I know we said this is my parents’ weekend but . . .”
He looks up.
From the balcony above, where Tris’s entire family is standing now, I can hear a faint song. Faint, but unmistakable.
And then it hits me.
Just in time to see Tristano getting down on one knee.
“Nothing,” he says, “would make them happier than to see the errant son, the one they thought might be a bachelor forever, be engaged to a woman they adore.”
He pulls out a black velvet box, and holds an engagement ring up to me as the soft melody floats down from the balcony above us.
Lovely, never, never change
Keep that breathless charm
Won’t you please arrange it? ’Cause I love you
Just the way you look tonight.
“It would make me even happier, Evie, if you would marry me.”
A crowd begins to gather. And in about three seconds flat, I’m going to lose it. It’s taking every bit of self-control to keep myself together.
Surrounded by the Alps, on the shores of Lake Geneva . . . my new family looking down as the song we first danced to plays. I try to imagine my mom and dad’s reaction. They would love Tristano, no doubt. And would probably be as in awe of this situation as me.
But I’m done asking myself how I could be so lucky. Sometimes, we make our own luck.
“I know we talked about giving it more time. But I don’t need a few more months, Evie. I am completely in love with you.”
Tris’s chin rises as his eyes hold my own teared-up ones.
