"Then you agree that our time together has been
valuable?" he asked encouraged.
"I wouldn't spend time with you otherwise," I
replied. "I'm not one to waste my time."
"Of course not. In fact, that's what convinced
me I was not being too forward, not rushing things."
"Things? What things, Samuel?"
"Things between us. I came to tell you that I've
enjoyed your company so much, I don't want it to end,
but even more important, I don't like the
interruptions."
"Interruptions?" I had to shake my head and
smile with confusion. What was he talking about? "Nights, mornings, pieces of afternoon . . . I
mean all the time in between our dates," he said. I still looked confused and shook my head. "What are you saying, Samuel?"
"I told you I wasn't the most eloquent of
speakers. It takes me a little while to get to the point."
He stiffened up in the seat. "What I mean to say is I
want to make a steady diet of Olivia Gordon." "What? Steady diet?"
He reached into his pocket and plucked out a
small box. His smile widened as he rose from his
chair and then went on one knee before me.
"I thought you might like this done the oldfashioned way," he began and opened the box. In it was an engagement ring that rivaled the
one Carson McGil had given Belinda, only I thought
this one had a more elegant gold setting with
baguettes.
"I took the liberty of ordering this," Samuel
continued, "in the hope that you would give an
engagement between us serious consideration." Stunned by the twinkling diamond and the
proposal, I sat dumbfounded. He remained on his
knee, holding out the ring in its box before me.