"I'm not giving up," Michael said.
"I wouldn't expect you to give up," Rafe said. "I need to go," Rafe said, rising. "Thanks for the meal. That burger was better than gourmet food for me."
"Glad I could do it," Michael said, joining his brother as he made his way to the door. "Tell Nicole to hang in there and give Joel a hug."
"Will do," Rafe said, then paused. "If you're this unhappy over Bella being gone, you might want to rethink your anti-love theory."
Michael shook his head. "No."
"Well, it looks to me like that ship has sailed. Maybe you've already fallen in love." Rafe lifted his hand and squeezed his shoulder. "Call me if you need me."
Two weeks later, Bella drove to the courthouse for Charlotte's wedding. Her aunt-dressed in an ivory and red silk suit and top-paced just outside the office of the justice of the peace."Are you okay?" Bella asked.
"Yeah, just a little edgy," Charlotte said. "Do you think I'm making a big mistake?"
"Do you love him?" Bella asked.
"Yes."
"Does he make you happy?" Bella asked.
Charlotte's expression softened. "Oh, yeah."
"I think you've answered your own question," Bella said, still devastated from her breakup with Michael.
"Okay," Charlotte said, glancing at her watch. "I think it's time."
Bella walked inside the office with her aunt. She looked up to find Michael standing beside Fred. She flashed a look of desperation at her aunt.
Charlotte mouthed the word sorry and turned her attention to her groom. Bella took a deep breath and focused on Charlotte. She absolutely couldn't think about Michael.
After Charlotte and her groom made their vows, the justice of the peace pronounced them husband and wife. Bella couldn't keep tears from her eyes.
"We'll see you at the house," Charlotte said then lowered her voice and kissed Bella. "Don't be too mad at me."
Charlotte and her new husband swept out of the courthouse, leaving Bella to face Michael.
"They look happy," Michael said.
"Yes, they do," she said, not wanting to meet his gaze. "I hope they will always be happy." She bit her lip. "I should leave. They're having a reception at Charlotte's house."
"Bella," he said, his voice causing her to stop in her tracks. "Charlotte called and told me you would be here."
She bit her lip again, not knowing what to say.
"You told me you loved me," he said.
She cringed because he hadn't been able to return her love.
"I don't know much about love," he said. "I gave up on it at an early age in order to survive."
She took a deep breath. "I can understand that."
"You've taught me something different," he said. "You've taught me that I'm capable of more than I thought I was. I don't know much about love, Bella, but I know I want you with me forever." He lifted her chin so that she would look at him. "I want you to teach me about your way of love."
Bella felt as if her heart would burst with happiness. "Oh, Michael. You already know how to love. You've already shown me so much love."
"Maybe we need each other to find the way," he said.
"Maybe," she said hopefully.
"I love you," he said. "And I'm determined to love you more."
Her eyes filled with tears. "You are an amazing man, Michael Medici. I want to help make you happy."
"You already have, Bella. You already have."
Epilogue
T en days later, after her Aunt Charlotte and new husband had returned from Michael's new house in Grand Cayman, Bella caught her first break in days. She'd been in charge of the shop during her aunt's honeymoon and was looking forward to a quiet night with Michael.
How things had changed during the last week. Michael had completely opened up to her about his brother Leo, and she, too was on the edge of her seat waiting to find out more from the P.I.Michael had arranged for all her belongings to be moved to his house. She was ready to soak in the Jacuzzi. She just hoped she could talk him into joining her. He was picking her up from work. She saw his vehicle pull alongside the curb and hopped in.
"Finally, a break," she said and kissed him. "I have plans for you."
"Oh, really," he said, his lips lifting in a slight grin. "What kind of plans?"
"Wet, bubbly plans," she said.
"Hmm. Not a bubble bath," he said.
"Not the kind you're thinking of," he said. "I thought I'd take you to one of my restaurants."
She would have preferred to be alone with him, but she was with him. That was good enough. "Okay. How was your day?"
"Busy. Rafe called. I keep forgetting to tell you that Nicole wants that recipe."
"Give me her e-mail and consider it done," she said as he pulled into the nearly empty parking lot of his restaurant. "Wow, I wonder what's going on. I've never seen the parking lot this empty at this time of night."
"I'll have to talk to the manager about that," he said and helped her from the car.
They walked to the door where a sign was posted. Private Event. Please return tomorrow.
"What's this?" she asked, confused.
He pushed open the door, and seemed much more calm than she would have expected. "We'll find out."
The lights were low and Michael led her to the bar where a bottle of champagne and two glasses sat on a table with two chairs.
She shot him a curious glance. "You knew about this. What's going on?"
"Have a seat. Let me pour your champagne," he said with a mysterious smile on his face.
He poured the bubbly and sat beside her. "Do you know what I like about this place?"
"Besides the fact that it's profitable?" she asked.
He chuckled. "Besides that."
"The good food. The atmosphere. The staff?" she asked, trying to gauge his mood. She'd never seen him like this before.
"I like this place because this is where I first saw you."
Her heart turned over and a lump formed in her throat. "I don't think you could touch me more deeply."
"I'm a high achiever. I'm not done yet," he said.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that meeting you has changed me in ways I didn't dare dream. You were a wish I didn't even know I was making. I never believed in love until you."
Tears burned Bella's eyes. "Oh, Michael, you mean the same to me. I so want you to be happy."
"Then wear this," he said, pulling a black box from his pocket and opening it to reveal a sparkling diamond. "Wear this and marry me," he said. "I love you."
Bella shook her head in amazement. "Are you sure? Are you really sure?"
"I've spent my life figuring out the odds of winning and losing. I've never been more sure of something or someone in my life. There's no losing for me as long as I have you."
"I love you," she said. "I love you today, tomorrow and forever."