Berger shook his head. "You're the one that talked me into it. And a half dozen other people. So, there's really no way out now."
I glanced back at the open limousine door longingly. "She's going to turn me down. I'm just setting myself up to look like a fool."
"Tasha will love that," Berger said. He shoved me towards the front steps and shut the limousine door.
I watched my escape drive away and had no choice but to climb the red-carpeted front steps and enter Stan's lavish retirement party. The plan was simple: friends would funnel Tasha towards the back portico, and once there I would somehow convince her to take me seriously. If I managed that major feat, then all I had to do was put my heart and reputation on the line by kneeling down and asking her to marry me in front of a full lawn of our friends and colleagues.
No wonder I felt light-headed.
Then I reached the top step and ran full-on into Tasha. She teetered back on her high heels, and I caught her arm to steady her. The flash of heat between us was almost enough to burn off my doubts, but then I saw the cool look in Tasha's eyes.
"Hello, Rainer," she said.
"You look gorgeous," I mumbled. Her cocktail gown was an iridescent blue that shifted like the light across a pearl. Thin straps slipped across her creamy skin, leaving the smooth expanse of her shoulders bare.
It took everything I had to let her go.
Tasha stood stiffly in front of me, waiting for me to make polite conversation, but I couldn't trust myself. The whole plan felt like it was coming apart at the seams, but Otto swooped in to save me.
"Ms. Nichols, there you are. I know you're trying to enjoy yourself, but Stan asked if you would be his number two. There's a bit of a flow issue through the main hall and I was hoping you could help," Otto said.
Tasha looked relieved and let Otto guide her away. I stood watching them go, my heart flopping around like a gasping fish. Would she even want me to propose?
"You're not backing out now," Berger said. He appeared at my elbow and caught my arm in an iron grip. "I don't want to say it, but you're my inspiration. If this doesn't work, then I'm going to assume there's no hope for me."
"I thought Ellison actually invited you to sit at her table at the country club," I said.
Berger smiled but shook his head. "We're not talking about me now. What we're going to do is follow the plan."
We moved through the glamorous crowd sipping cocktails and caught sight of Tasha in the main hall. She finished solving Otto's imagined problems with her usual efficiency and was about to veer off course when Alan Reynolds intercepted her.
The recreation director greeted her with a fatherly hug. His huge grin was not out of character, but Tasha seemed suspicious anyway. When he started guiding her through the main hall to the ballroom, I thought she might stop and confront him.
"I think I went about this all wrong," I told Berger. "She's going to think I manipulated her."
"Relax," Berger said as he bopped from foot to foot.
"Yeah, because you look so calm," I said.
Berger laughed. "Well, my part is coming up next. You ready? Can I leave you or are you going to try to run back out the front door?"
I watched Tasha smile and promenade with Reynolds. It didn't matter if I made a mess of things; Tasha was worth it. And I promised myself that if she said no, I would spend the rest of my life trying to figure out how to change her mind.
"I'm up," Berger said. He whacked me on the back and disappeared into the crowd.
I caught a waiter and ordered a very stiff drink. Then I slipped farther through the crowd so I could watch which way Tasha went.
Alan Reynolds gave her a tight hug that left her bemused, but before she could think through his obvious excitement, Berger swept in front of her. The first thing out of his mouth made her laugh despite herself. From there, it was a series of exasperated smiles and eye rolls. He started pulling her towards the high French doors at the back of the ballroom, and I knew it was time for me to take my place.
"All ready, sir?"
"Topher, Jesus," I cried, startling the party-goers around me. "You scared the hell out of me."
Topher grinned. "I'm not sure I'm the reason you're so jumpy, but I apologize. I'm just so excited."
"I'm not jumpy," I said with no real conviction.
Topher dug in his pockets and produced a small, black velvet box. "The jeweler assures me the size will work. It's an absolutely stunning ring, Rainer."