“Not a liar,” Master Anderson corrected. “I prefer the term ‘creative fabricator’. It was all in good fun.” He smacked Sir on the back. “And we sure did have a lot of fun back then, didn’t we, buddy?”
Sir put his arm around Brie. “I’d say you and I have far more fun now.”
“You got that right.” Master Anderson rubbed his hands together excitedly. “Not only have I found the perfect shoe, but she’s damn beautiful inside and out.”
“She is,” Brie agreed.
Master Anderson suddenly scanned the area, asking, “Is there anything I’ve forgotten?”
Sir placed his hand on Master Anderson’s shoulder. “The night will go flawlessly. There’s nothing to worry about.”
“You’re right, buddy,” he said, nodding. “Everything is in place.” He winked at Brie. “The only thing left is for my future fiancée to say yes.”
Sir chuckled after shutting the door behind Master Anderson. “I’ve never seen the man so rattled.”
Brie giggled. “It’s the sweetest thing ever.”
While Brie was grabbing her purse before heading out with Sir, a flash of blue caught her eye. “Oh, no!”
“What’s wrong?” Sir asked, hoisting the camera bag onto his shoulder.
Brie bent down to pick up the velvet ring box. “Master Anderson must have dropped this when he slapped me on the back so enthusiastically.”
Sir laughed when he saw the box. “Anderson has certainly enjoyed pranking me over the years. I think it’s time I repay the favor.”
Brie’s eye widened. “What are you planning to do, Sir?”
“Nothing…for now,” he said with a sly grin, taking the box from her and slipping it into his pocket “I can’t imagine how bad he’s going to sweat once he figures out he lost it. Won’t that make for a fun conversation in the years to come?”
Brie stared at him dumbfounded. “You never cease to surprise me, Sir.”
He tweaked her nose. “That’s how I prefer it.”
The drive was beautiful. Brie couldn’t help but admire the scenery flashing by once they got to the winding roads leading up to the hilltop restaurant. She could understand why Master Anderson had chosen this place. The view of LA was breathtaking and made the perfect backdrop for his proposal.
The owner greeted them personally. She was thrilled to help execute Master Anderson’s proposal. “I enjoy getting to play cupid in situations like this,” she confessed to Brie as she led them to their table.
While Sir was setting up the camera equipment, the owner pointed to a large empty table on the opposite side of the ornate half-wall that separated them. “Shey will be sitting here, so you’ll be out of her line of sight, but you can still get the quality shots you’re looking for.”
“Babygirl, can you sit there so I can take a few practice shots?” Sir asked her.
Sitting down in Shey’s assigned chair, Brie pretended that Master Anderson was proposing to her and made sure to wear a properly shocked expression.
“Is everything okay, miss?”
Brie blushed and turned in her chair, coming face to face with a large “package” outlined in a tight-fitting pair of jeans. She looked up to see a handsome older gentleman grinning down at her.
Brie popped out of the chair and held out her hand to Master Anderson’s dad. “It’s lovely to see you again, Mr. Anderson.”
While she was shaking hands with the man, she glanced over at his wife and their three daughters. “You all must be so excited!”
Instead of answering, Brie was tackled by Master Anderson’s three sisters hugging her all at once. She glanced over to see Sir lowering his camera and smiling at her.
“When Brad first told us about Shey, we knew she was the one,” Master Anderson’s mother told Brie, her green eyes sparkling with delight.
“Is there anything we can do to help?” his father asked.
Sir walked up to them and set the camera down. He was given the same enthusiastic hugs from Master Anderson’s sisters. It warmed Brie’s heart to see the joy on Sir’s face as he greeted Master Anderson’s family.