“Dan,” I said, wrapping my hands around the back of his neck to wind my fingers into his hair. “I’m really not that fussy. But I know I’m going to have to make some adjustments and get used to your life. And you are going to have to make some adjustments, and get used to reporting to both Laura and me about what’s going on with you. But we’ll figure it all out, okay?
He nodded, kissing me again. Then he suddenly stopped. “Sweetheart, can we take a photo together?”
“Sure,” I said, confused.
“Smile,” he said, stretching out his arm to take a selfie of the two of us smiling together.
He showed me his phone as he emailed the photo to what looked like a list of department heads. His thumbs flew across the screen as he typed, “Thank you all so much for your hard work today. Katy forgave me. This lovely young woman is now the first lady of the company, so if you see her in the building, please drop everything to care for her.”
“Wait – nobody has to take care of me,” I said quickly, but he had already hit send.
“I do,” he said gently. Then he froze, looking at me carefully.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Remember how you said big fancy things make you nervous?” I nodded. “Part of me wants to take you out to dinner, and make some big production, having a diamond ring at the top of a cake full of sparklers, or something dramatic in a crowd.” His head tilted as he watched my expression, my nose crinkling distastefully.
“But my gut reaction is usually right.” He dropped to one knee, holding my hands in his. “Katy, will you marry me?”
Now I froze. It was too soon. And it was right. I knew it straight through my bones. Yet it was insane to get engaged so fast. My mind was whirling, and I glanced up to see a handful of people with their noses pressed against the glass, staring intently. If I were with Dan forever, I would always be observed. It would be worth it.
“Yes,” I said, bending down to kiss his forehead. “I would love to be your wife.”
He jumped up and threw his arms around me, swinging me in a huge circle as I heard screams and applause from people out on the street.
Then Dan grabbed his phone. “Larry, we’ll be out in a second. Call Tiffany’s and have them stay open for us.”
I heard a faint but crisp, “Yes, sir.”
I laughed. “We could always wait until tomorrow.”
Dan grinned. “I think you’re really going to enjoy learning what it’s like to be a billionaire. There are many responsibilities, but every now and then, you can make a phone call and spoil yourself rotten.”
Pulling a key ring from his pocket, he said, “There’s no security system yet, since the place is empty. So let’s lock up and go buy you the biggest ring we can find.”
“Whatever you say, fiancé,” I giggled.
EPILOGUE
* Katy *
So far Dan has been absolutely wonderful with all of the details of our new lives together. With all of the huge buildings, grand vacations, and formal functions that we’ve had to deal with every month now, I was relieved when Dan agreed that we could have a tiny wedding. We’d only been dating for three months when we simply zipped off to Barcelona on the weekend of the huge fireworks festival, then had a small dinner party for around twenty people at his house when we got back. Our house. It’s still all so new.
Dan has been incredible, building me up so that I’m now almost comfortable walking into large events on his arm. He always knows who I should chat with, and how to go over things with me ahead of time so that I don’t get nervous. It’s adorable watching him flash back and forth between powerful CEO and my sweet, cuddly husband.
It’s fascinating to me that he doesn’t get stressed. He gets fired up. He thrives on pressure and having a million things going on at once. But he’s agreed to turn off and have quiet time with me when we need it.
For our six month anniversary, we did a two-week tour of Europe as a casual second honeymoon. A few tiny details slipped now and then while we were there, probably because we knew it was already time.
I loved that Dan came to pick me up from work most days, but he looked confused when half of the shop was covered in plastic sheets a few minutes after closing this evening.
“What’s going on, baby?” he asked me, wrapping his arms around me immediately.
“We’re putting in an extra vent in the back, so that even though we’re using pretty non-toxic sprays and dyes, they won’t build up in the air here.”
“Oh, good idea,” he said brightly. Then he looked at me strangely. “Sweetheart, have you been working too hard? You can let other people take care of this, you don’t have to do it all.”
“Yes, but I felt that I should supervise.”