One Kiss: An Office Romance

“We can do this,” I reassure her.

“We don’t even know how much he wants!” she reminds me. “My commission is stupidly huge, but I haven’t even gotten it yet. And what if he wants more? What then?”

“I have money, Clarissa,” I smile. “Money is not a problem.”

“No, it has to be fair!” she objects. “It has to be… even. Right? Totally even.”

She continues pacing back and forth, practically making me dizzy. Eventually I have to reach out and grab her wrist to make her stop, pulling her close. Though she resists, it is only for a few seconds. She melts in my embrace, looking up at me, searching my eyes for answers.

“Come on, Maxwell,” she whispers. “You know this is crazy, right?”

“What’s crazy about buying a company together? People do it all the time.”

“People do crazy things all the time!” she retorts. “What if I don’t have enough money to—”

I kiss her to quiet her. Her objections melt away into helpless whimpers.

“Okay, but you have to promise me it will be even,” she continues stubbornly as soon as I release her soft lips from mine.

“Partners in all ways,” I assure her with a smile.

“Okay, this is a promise!” she warns me.

“It’s more than a promise,” I reply.

Blinking, she stares at me. “What’s more than a promise?”

“A proposal is more than a promise,” I shrug.

“What does that mean?” she asks shrewdly.

“It means if you are my wife, then everything is even, right?”

“What?” she gasps.

“Does that mean yes?”

Her eyes narrow. “I don’t think you technically asked the question,” she reminds me.

“Oh, you really are stubborn,” I smile.

She looks at me with utter amazement as I step back, drawing the ring from my pocket and kneeling in front of her with it held between my fingers.

“Clarissa Goring,” I begin in a loud voice, hoping everyone can hear me, “will you marry me?”

“But it’s so soon!” she whispers.

“Yes! Let’s not waste a minute!”

Her hands flutter beneath her chin as she waves them excitedly.

“May I remind you that you still have not answered me?” I gently prod her.

“Oh, yes!” she yelps. “Yes! Definitely yes!”

Sliding the ring onto her finger is one of the most satisfying sensations of my whole life. She gazes at it proudly, then tucks it under her chin. And yet, it’s only a moment before her expression turns doubtful.

“I don’t think your parents liked me,” she confesses meekly.