Clearing my throat, I suddenly feel anxious again. The skin at the back of my head prickles, and my mouth has dried up.
“I don’t want you to give up on your dream. I can manage my restaurants even from London. I’d have to fly in a week every two months or so, maybe more in the beginning because I’ll miss my family like crazy, but—”
Nate jerks his head back, clearly not having expected this. “Are you serious?”
I nod eagerly. “I made a plan, simulating how my workdays could look. There are some details to streamline, but it looks possible.”
The corners of his mouth twitch, his eyes glinting. “You made a plan?”
“Yeah.”
“When?”
“Over the weekend.”
He stares at me thoughtfully for a few seconds before shaking his head. “You are incredible. I’ve barely processed what happened on Friday over the weekend. Clara was right. Women think at a different speed than men.”
“Clara is a smart girl. In the interest of honesty, Pippa came by my house on Saturday and encouraged me to do it. Once I had it all in front of me, I realized I could make it work. I’ll make it work, because I want you to live your dream, and I want to be next to you when that happens.”
Bringing his other hand up, he splays his fingers on my jaw and my cheek, squeezing lightly. “Do you mean this?”
“Every word.”
We’re standing near the edge of the deck. The water in front of us is glinting beautifully, reflecting the weak sunrays.
Dropping my voice, I whisper, “I’m going to tell you a secret.”
He flashes me a cocky smirk. “You can’t imagine your life without me?”
“With the risk of my admission going to your head, yes. But also, I even considered up and leaving, with no plan, just to be with you.”
“I’d take care of you, always. I love you, Alice.”
“Can you say that again?”
“I love you. For years, I wasn’t feeling at home anywhere. Now I feel at home whenever you’re with me. You’re my home, Alice.”
He lowers his hand from my face to my waist, pulling me to him. Goose bumps form on my arms instantly. Sighing, I cocoon against him, inhaling his delicious scent. I don’t think I’ll ever get my fill of him. Then he wraps both arms around my waist, bringing me closer still. Dipping his head, he buries his nose in my hair, right below my ear. And then he takes in a breath so deep it makes my knees weak. It’s like he hasn’t taken a deep breath in days. When his lips touch my neck lightly, I warm all over.
“My family is going to go berserk when I tell them I’m moving to London,” I whisper. “After they calm down, they’ll be happy for us.”
“Hmm, I know something that might soften the news.”
“Do tell.”
“I’ll ask them for your hand.”
I gasp in surprise, pulling back so I can look straight at him.
“What?”
“Marry me, Alice.”
My mind doesn’t process his words right away, but when it does, my entire body reacts. Butterflies roam in my belly and a bolt of energy zips down my spine, extending to my limbs until my toes curl and the tips of my fingers prickle with excitement.
“Is there a question mark anywhere?” I tease.
“Nah, not my style.” Pushing a rebel strand of hair behind my ear, he lingers with his fingers at my earlobe. “I want you to be my fiancée when we move to London.”