The Devil She Knew(36)

He could tell Suzie was pleased by the way her eyes creased when she smiled. "Of course. I'd love to."

"You're lucky to get in at such short notice," he told Laura. "She's booked up months in advance."

Suzie laughed. "Give me the date and I'll squeeze you in, sis."

The light in her eyes made his chest warm. Finally, she was realizing  her own talent, and he loved the confidence and pleasure it gave her.  Nate glanced at the High School Diploma that was framed over the  fireplace. It was just a piece of paper, but after she'd got it, a  weight had seemed to fall away from her.

"So you're not going to tell her where you're taking her tonight?" asked Laura as they walked her toward the front door.

Nate shook his head, smiling. "If I told her, it wouldn't be a surprise."

"Do I need to change?" asked Suzie, smoothing her hands over her summer dress.

"You look perfect as you are." He glanced down at her sandals. "Only,  flat shoes might be better." Heels were never a good idea on a boat.

They got to the door and Laura reached for the handle. "Sounds like  you've arranged a special night. You're not going to ask her to marry  you, are you?"

Nate frowned. Laura was going to ruin everything. "Of course not," he said, several seconds too late.

"Oh my god." Laura dropped the door handle and clapped her hand over her  mouth, her eyes going wide. "That's what you're planning. Aren't you?"

Suzie's eyes were as wide as Laura's. Both sisters looked at each other, then at him.

His gaze was fixed on Suzie. "So much for the surprise." Time to adapt  his plan. But he wasn't going to propose in the hall beside the front  door. "Come on." He took Suzie's hand and led her back to the living  room, then out onto their balcony with its view of the water. All that  mattered was that he propose to her outside, with the sea as their  backdrop and the breeze lifting her glorious hair.

There, on the balcony, he tugged the ring out of his pocket and flipped  open the box so she could see the diamond sparkling. The small blue  stones set around it had reminded him of her eyes and the sea that had  brought them together. It had seemed perfect for her. He just hoped she  liked it as much as he did.

"Oh my God," murmured Laura.

Nate glanced over at her, startled. He'd been so focussed on Suzie he'd forgotten her sister was still here.

Suzie's mouth dropped open a little as she took in the ring. Her lips  made an ‘o' shape, and it made her cupid's bow look deeper than ever.  All he wanted was to kiss her.

And for her to say Yes.

He'd been convinced she would, but now his heart was beating faster.  What if she said no? She had his heart in the palm of her hand. He was  totally vulnerable. She could shatter him completely with just a single  word, and that knowledge should terrify him.

But this was Suzie. He loved and trusted her beyond anything he could  have imagined. He'd come to understand that the feeling of being totally  exposed to her was a necessary part of love. It deepened it and made it  even more precious. In that sense, it was the best thing he'd ever  felt. He wouldn't have it any other way.

Slowly, he lowered himself down onto one knee. "Will you-?"         

     



 

That was as far as he got. "Yes." Suzie interrupted. "Of course. Are you  kidding?" She laughed, her eyes filling with tears. "I love you more  than anything, Nate."

He grinned. His two-word attempt had to be the shortest proposal in  history. But it had gotten the job done so he wasn't about to complain.

"The ring's so beautiful," said Laura, her voice breathless. "Try it on, Sue. Does it fit?"

He stood and pulled it out of the case, then slipped it onto her  extended finger. Of course it fit. He'd borrowed one of her other rings  to have it sized and make sure it would.

Suzie put her arms around his neck. Their kiss felt different from any  they'd shared before. It was full of promise. It was the start of the  rest of their life.

"What do you think?" he whispered to her. "Shall we get married on Lantana Island?"

Then there was another pair of arms around them both, hugging them.  Suddenly Laura's tears were soaking into the shoulder of his shirt.

"I'm so happy for you two," she sobbed. "You're so perfect. Both of you. You're going to be so happy."

"We're already happy," said Nate, smiling at Laura's flood of tears.

Suzie nestled her face against his neck. "I had no idea life could be like this." Her breath tickled his skin.

"You're my life," he murmured into her ear.

"And you, mine."

"Stop it you guys." Laura gave them one last squeeze, then let them go  and wiped her eyes on her sleeve. "Go on your mystery night out.  Celebrate life, and success, and everything else. Man, you two are too  much."

When Suzie stepped back, smiling, Nate offered her his arm. "Will you do me the honor?" he asked.

"Always," she said.