But instead of turning toward them, Eric reached into his pocket and withdrew a small box. And when she met his gaze, she saw nerves there, and fear. Dear God, did he really think she could say no? And yet this was a man who’d thought for many years that his worth was based on his balance sheet, and his insecurity reached in and touched her right in the heart.
He opened the jeweler’s box, where an enormous diamond winked up at her.
“Molly? Will you marry me?”
She took off her gloves and shoved them into her coat pocket. “Just try to stop me,” she replied and held out her hand. “Put it on me, Eric, and make it official. Because I love you more than words can say.”
He chuckled, an emotional sound as the sky exploded around them, then took the ring from the box and slid it over her knuckle, folding her hand and tucking it inside his palm. “Don’t ever change, Moll,” he murmured, kissing her knuckles. “I want you to keep telling me how it is for at least fifty years.”
“At least,” she agreed, and then with a huge smile, they turned to watch the rest of the fireworks as they ushered in a brand-new year.
* * *