CHAPTER 28
With their obligations over, they returned to San Francisco a day later. Life went back to normal, and Mila didn’t think much more about Tiffany or Jackson since Maddox seemed to think it would be fine.
After a few weeks went by, Maddox told her they were going to Italy. She should have been in shock, but she was getting used to his lifestyle.
She calmly made preparations in front of other people but when she was finally alone in her bedroom, Mila jumped up and down in excitement.
Her experience going to Europe before was eclipsed by her confusion over Maddox. That didn’t need to happen this time.
Several days later, they finally arrived on the Amalfi coastline. They settled into their hotel that was nestled into the tree-lined terraces along the cliffs, and after they had been there long enough for Mila to get her initial excitement out of her system, Maddox led her outside after returning from dinner.
On the balcony overlooking the Mediterranean, Maddox got down on one knee and took her hand. He slipped a ring on her finger and gazed up at her. “Mila, will you marry me?”
Mila froze, her awe over the view evaporating. Did Maddox bring her here to propose? Because it never entered her mind and she wondered if he was serious. “Do you mean this?”
He laughed lightly and kissed her hand. “Mila, I don’t want anyone else. So, yes, I mean it.”
A million thoughts flooded her head. “This is all really sudden.”
“Do you not want this?” Concern constricted his eyes as he stood up.
Mila shook her head. “That’s not what I mean. I do want it. I just…Danny talked about your legacy when we had dinner with him. And he was right. It is a legacy. I…I don’t want to ruin everything.”
Maddox put his hands on her shoulders. “You’re not going to ruin anything. If I hadn’t met you, I’d still be in the same useless cycle. If I’m going to continue the legacy, I want it to be with you. I know it’s a responsibility. But I also know you’re more than a match for it.”
Mila let go of a small smile. “Do you mean that?”
“You have no idea.” It was hard to remember how insincere she thought he was when they first met. He was far from insincere now.
After a moment, Mila nodded fervently. “Then, yes. I’ll marry you.”
“Are you sure?” Maddox searched her face.
Mila laughed. “Yes, I’m sure.” She threw her arms around his neck and squeezed her eyes shut. “What a pair we make, huh?”
Maddox lifted her into the air. “I think we’re perfect.”
Maddox would think that. But this time, as she gazed down at his gleaming eyes, Mila thought he might be right.
They told their families they were engaged, including telling Nikki in person since they were close anyway. She was thrilled and gave Mila a warm hug after squeezing the life out of her brother.
When they returned home, they had a private engagement party in San Francisco with just Maddox’s brother and a few friends. But her mother insisted they needed a fancy engagement party and Maddox didn’t object.
So, her mother was charged with putting something together in New York. Mila figured she might as well adjust to the idea. They would have to have a big society wedding. Maddox was too important and well-known.
Or maybe it was really necessary because of her mother.
Either way, Mila had accepted that fact. She could handle it. And it was worth it for Maddox.