"I saw your article. Brilliant, Audrey," she says. "Absolutely brilliant. I had tears in my eyes halfway through." I'd cried several times while writing it, putting my family's pain to paper, and I squeeze her arm. "Thank you." Carter is talking to the other men in the distance. All three of them are married now, Anthony and Summer tying the knot just last summer. We're the last couple left. I smile at his tall form. I'm not in a rush, and I don't think he is either. What we have is the best thing in my life. "I wonder why he's still single," Freddie murmurs at my side. Summer and Cecilia are close by, but neither overhear. "Who?" I ask. "Isaac? Isn't that who you're looking at?" My gaze travels up to the twin grand staircases in the lobby. Isaac Winter is there, standing at the top with his hand on the railing. His suit looks sharp. Edges crisp, eyes expressionless as he looks out over the crowd. He's Anthony's older brother and heir to the Winter hotel fortune. He must be in his late thirties or early forties now. "Oh. You're right. I've never seen him with anyone. He didn't even bring a date tonight?" Freddie shakes her head. "Summer says he's married to the hotel." "Oh. That's a shame," I say. "Have you ever heard-oh, sorry." The room quiets down as Isaac takes the mic. He welcomes us all here and gives a short overview of the history of the hotel. The Winter Hotel in New York is the original one, over a century old, the head to the many offshoots worldwide. Summer and Anthony's honeymoon had been to one of their newly opened resorts internationally. A strong arm slides around my waist. Carter's found me, the scent of his cologne subtle and delicious. I'd bought it for his birthday. "Hey," he whispers. "Hi," I whisper back. "Let's get out of here." "Yes." And then, his lips to my ear, "I have a surprise." It doesn't take us long to leave the event. Our friends don't look surprised at our early departure, either, which is unusual. We usually end the night with a nightcap together. Less often now, perhaps, when Tristan and Freddie have a newborn. But still. Not a single raised eyebrow? Michael is waiting for us by the curb. He gives us both a smile. It's uncharacteristically wide. I start getting suspicious. "Carter," I say. "Exactly what kind of surprise is this?" He reaches for my hand. "A good one." "Your surprises vary a great deal." He laughs. "Yes, well, I promise I've learned. This will be something you like. I think." "Do the others know?" He glances at me, still smiling. "Stop asking questions." "I can't not." "You can. No need to interview me." His hand tightens on mine. "We're almost there." I peer out the window of the car. It looks like a normal street at nightfall, people going about their business, shops closing just as restaurants pick up steam. Michael pulls us to a stop at the curb. "We're here," he says. Is that excitement in his voice? Nerves take up residence in my stomach, and a tiny, sneaky suspicion forms in my mind. Where is he taking me…? Carter opens my door for me. He looks brilliant in his tux, thick hair swept back from his forehead. He gives me a crooked smile. "My lady," he says. I laugh. "Wow." His hand rests on the small of my back. People on the sidewalk watch us as we pass, both dressed to the nines. My ballgown is more than a little out of place. "Patience," he murmurs at my side. The arm beside me is taut. That's when I recognize the place. It's the bar where we first met. Where we had our first date. "Oh," I say. Carter holds the door open for me. "After you, kid." I step inside. There's no one here. It's empty, and on every single table is a single lit candle. It looks magical. My throat starts to close up. The suspicion grows stronger, and anticipation rushes through me. Oh my God. "It's a bit different," he says quietly at my side. "The place was bought a while ago. I asked the management to make it look like it did our first night." "It's beautiful," I whisper. "Now… where were we? Here, right?" Carter walks us toward the bar counter. He leans against it, eyes serious on mine. There's something vulnerable in them. He's nervous, I realize. Sweet Jesus. "Yes," I say. "I think this is where we were. I was… standing like this." "Asking the bartender for water." I nod and look around. "Are we really alone in here?" "Yes," he says. "Though I can't tell you the staff room is empty." I give a hoarse chuckle. "Wow." "You were nervous back then," he says quietly. "Are you nervous now?" "Yes. A little. There are no peanuts." His lips curve into a small smile. The flickering candlelight sets off the auburn notes in his hair. "No, I forgot that detail." I shake my head. "Not necessary."
"I'll tell you a secret. I'm nervous too."
I take a deep breath. "Yes?"
"Meeting you here was the greatest happenstance in my life. I can't imagine where I'd be if I hadn't gone to this bar that night, over two years ago."
"Me neither," I whisper.
He smiles, a brief tug of his lips. "When we came here the second time, it was on our first proper date. Do you remember?"
"You'd said yes to me. I was ecstatic, and oddly… grateful. That you'd take the risk you did. We worked together and you didn't entirely trust me. I wanted to prove your courage right."
"You did, and you have. These two years have been the best in my life," I say. He doesn't seem to mind me interrupting his speech. Nerves make it hard to talk, but this is important. Important that he knows.
Carter reaches for my hand. His skin is warm. "You are the greatest thing in my life, kid. I can't imagine living without you. So here, in the place where we first met…"
He drops down to one knee. Time slows down. I watch his open expression, the hand reaching into his pocket. The glittering stone on a platinum band. "Audrey Ford," he says. "I love you more than I ever thought possible. Will you marry me?"
Tears make it hard to see, but I nod. "Yes. Yes, Carter, of course. Oh my God."
He laughs and wraps his arms around me. I hold on tight as he spins me around, the bar becoming blurry. The others had known. He'd planned this, coordinated with the staff, but kept it small and intimate. Just the two of us.
And now it always will be.