Chapter 24

Jamie POV

I send Andrea and Liam out with Crystal to keep her occupied. I have a lot to do today, and I do not need her to find out about my surprise for her. Liam was happy when I told him last night. He only wants her to be happy. He let me know that he would always be in her life and that he wants us to be friends. Andrea was thrilled when I told her and asked her to help keep Crystal busy for the day.

Trey is handling the outdoor decorations. Andrea usually handles this for my outdoor dinner parties, but since I needed her to do other things, Trey will have to wing it. All he has to do is supervise. The decorators do all the work. I only need him to keep them working and not slacking.

Herb is handling the caterers, which he is a pro at for sure, and I am still trying to figure out precisely what I will say to her tonight. I am so nervous about asking her to marry me that I cannot even think of what to say or how to say it. I want it to be perfect. She deserves perfection.

Trey comes into my office. “How is the garden looking?” I ask.

“Well, I believe there are enough lights out there; this little event will be seen from outer space,” Trey answers.

“All of the tables arrive, and the place cards are out?” I ask him.

“Yes, everything is in place. I have double-checked everything. No need to worry; Andrea will go back through and make sure the seating is correct. I think she went over it with me a hundred times on the way here. She is just as worried about the night as you are, so stop worrying,” Trey says.

“I want everything to be perfect for Crystal tonight. I want this to be a memorable night,” I say.

“It will be. When are you planning to ask her?” Trey asks.

“After dinner before dessert is served, I think that would be a perfect time; what do you think?” I say.

“Definitely after dinner, in case she says no, I still get to eat. Any word from the ex-wife?” Trey asks.

“All of that is handled, she will not be here, and I have extra security in case she does show she will not get past the front gate,” I say.

“Jamie, you do not think she would just show up here, do you? After what happened last time, I mean, I am sure she got the message that you do not want her anymore,” Trey says.

“I have no idea. Helen is unpredictable. She does not want me. She is upset that I finally got over her and moved on with my life,” I say.

“Are you nervous about asking Crystal to marry you?” Trey asks.

“No, yes, well maybe. I have no idea what to say to her. Trey, I am so in love with her, and I do not want to fuck this up,” I answer.

“My advice, keep it simple. I do not think Crystal is the type of woman that wants a big show. I think she would rather have a simple proposal,” Trey says.

“Keep it simple; I think you are right. I think Crystal would like that,” I say.

“Good, if you are done with me since I did not get a day at the spa, I need to get ready myself,” Trey says.

“Yeah, me too. I need to check on the three misfits too,” I say.

Margie arrives with Crystal’s dress. It is zipped uptight. “She doesn’t want you to see it, so back away. Would you like me to put it in the same room?” Margie asks as she brings the dress and all of Crystal’s extras into the house. Margie’s assistant follows her with Liam’s tux.

“ Yes, she is getting ready in the same room as before,” I answer. Margie and her assistant go straight up to Crystal’s old room. I follow the two of them up. She hangs it and Liam’s tux up next to the closet. She lays Crystal’s extras out and places her shoebox on the bed. I wonder what she bought to wear under her dress.

“Do you need me to stay and help her dress?” Margie asks.

“If you don’t mind. I am sure she would appreciate your help,” I say.

“No problem, at all. She is stunning. I want to see the dress on her if I am honest. It is one of a kind,” Margie says.

“I cannot wait to see it,” I say.

“Well, I am not going to show it to you, so get out,” Margie says.

I leave Margie and her assistant to wait on Crystal and Liam. I text Andrea to see if they are on their way back from the spa; I have not heard from any of them today.

*Crystal’s dress has arrived* I text Andrea

*we are pulling in* Andrea texts back.

I go back to let Margie know Crystal has arrived. I knock on the door and go into the room. Margie is sitting, waiting patiently. Her assistant is standing behind her.

“She is here,” I say. “I will start getting everything ready,” Margie says. She lays Crystal's dress on the bed but doesn’t unzip it. She stares at me to leave.

I go down the hall to get dressed. I was not nervous, but now I am starting to get worried. Maybe I should not ask her publicly. What if she says no in front of all of the people coming tonight? Perhaps I should ask her privately before the guests arrive, and then we could announce it at the party. No, I will ask her in front of everyone to prove to her how serious I am about marrying her. I want her to be mine always.