“Elliot, why on earth are we going to the garage? I need a shower, and—”
“Will you just be patient for once, woman?”
She crosses her arms over her chest. “You know I hate not knowing what’s going on.”
I chuckle as I pull into the parking lot of the garage and put my truck in park. “Trust me, I’m aware. But if you don’t just take a deep breath, you’re going to ruin the surprise.”
Her face softens. “What surprise?”
“Come on.” I exit the truck and round the hood to open Dilynne’s door for her and help her down. That’s something else I’ve had to fight with her about for the past three months of our relationship, but she’s finally relented to my request to be chivalrous, and I enjoy every moment of making her feel cared for in the best way I know how.
With her hand in mine, we head for the main door to the reception area where I find it unlocked.
“Okay, what’s going on? I know I locked the garage before I left.”
“Don’t worry. Steven left it unlocked for us.”
“What? He knows better.”
“He just left, Dil,” I say as I lead her through the dark reception area, behind the counter, and then to the door that leads into the garage. “I promise, everything is safe and exactly as it should be. Well…almost.”
“Elliot, what are you up to…” But her words fall off as I open up the door to the garage and she takes in the sight before her.
Fuck. Steven did good.Red rose petals are scattered on the floor creating a walkway over to the rusted car that I bought to enhance the proposal.
“Is that a 1962 Chevy Corvette?” she asks, completely ignoring the electric tea light candles that are covering every surface in the garage as well.
“It is.”
“And what is it doing here?”
“Well, it’s part of my offer to you in exchange for marrying me.”
Dilynne twists toward me so fast, she nearly falls over. I reach out and brace her before she falls. “I’m sorry. What?”
With our hands intertwined, I lead her further into the garage, down the aisle of rose petals, and right in front of the Corvette before bending down on a knee. “Dilynne Marie Clark,” I start, watching her grow emotional as she stares down at me. “You were the best fake fiancée a guy could have asked for, but I’m ready to make you a real one.”
“I cannot believe you’re doing this.”
“Believe it, sweetheart. This is real.” I pull the ring box from my pocket and open it up to reveal a black diamond on a white gold band. She gasps when she sees it. “I know you can’t wear this at work, but I wanted to give you a ring that sparkles and catches the light the same way you do.”
Her bottom lip trembles. “And you bought me a car to fix up?”
I laugh. “You would focus on that, wouldn’t you?”
“It’s not just any car, Elliot. It’s a pretty spectacular one.”
“I know. One of your dream restorations.” I smile up at her. “I was listening, baby.”
She wipes one of her tears away. “You know, for a guy who never wanted to fall in love again, you sure know how to channel your inner book boyfriend.”
“My what?”
“This?” she says, gesturing to the garage. “This is something only a fictional man would come up with.”
“Nothing about this is fictional, Dilynne. This is as real as it fucking gets. I’m so fucking in love with you that it feels like my heart might burst out of my chest.”
“I know what you mean,” she whispers, caressing my cheek.