Stone leaned toward her. “Le Chateau de la Riviere,” he said in a low voice. “They serve the best French cuisine in the country."
Indie nodded, still speechless, as she peered out the window at the majestic columns and the elegant statues that adorned the entrance. This was like no restaurant she’d ever seen before. Although it had lost its weight due to slang, the only word she could think of to describe it was 'awesome'.
Stone exited the limousine first then he held out his hand and helped her down. She felt like Cinderella being escorted by her prince.
He led her up the wide stone steps and into an immense marble-tiled lobby. They were immediately greeted by a black-uniformed host who seemed to have been expecting them.
“We have a private dining room.” Stone explained as they were led down an adjacent hallway and then toward an elegant staircase. At the top they were ushered into an intimate room, ornately decorated with a statuette in the corner, elegant paintings on the walls and a rug with such an intricate design that it almost looked handmade. And in the middle of that rug stood a small round table set for two, a bouquet of white roses in the middle of it, and flower-shaped candles glowing softly around the vase.
Indie expelled her breath slowly, only then realizing she’d been holding it. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered.
“Glad you like it.” Stone cupped her elbow and they walked over to the specially set table then as he helped her into her chair the host stepped forward. Stone quickly placed the orders and as soon as they were alone he reached over and took her hand in his. “I can’t stop telling you how beautiful you look tonight.”
Indie dropped her gaze, feeling the first flush of embarrassment. She wasn’t used to receiving so much attention – and praise – from a man.
“You’re one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever met,” he said, “both inside and out.” Then he gave a low, throaty laugh. “But I’m sure you hear that all the time.”
No, not really, like...never. Indie said nothing. She just gave him a soft smile in response.
“As I told you, Indie, there’s something I want to…have to say to you and I wanted to do this somewhere special.” He looked down at their hands and then began to stroke her fingers with his thumb. “I was planning to wait until after dinner but…I can’t keep this inside any longer. Indie, I…” He fell silent again.
Indie’s heart lurched. Her palms grew damp and her breath caught in her throat. Come on, say it. I can’t breathe till you say the words.
“I know you’ll think this is crazy…”
No, I won’t.
“…and you’ll wonder how this is possible in such a short time…”
It’s possible. It’s possible.
“…but I’ve fallen in love with you, Indie.”
He looked up at her then, deep into her eyes, and then he gave her hands a gentle squeeze. “I know this comes as a shock to you but I couldn’t go another day without telling you how I feel.”
He sighed and in his eyes was an earnestness that made Indie’s heart soar. “What I’m saying is I want…” He looked down at their hands again and shook his head. “I can’t believe I’m doing this to you.”
Good heavens, man, just say the words. I’m running out of air. Indie could feel the smile on her face calcifying, she’d been holding that smile so long.
He drew in a deep breath. “Indie, I want-”
“To marry me?” she blurted. She just couldn’t wait. She’d begun to grow faint from holding her breath that long.
He expelled his breath in a whoosh and on his face was a look of relief. “Yes. That’s exactly what I was trying to say. I don’t know why it wouldn’t come out.” He shook his head and gave a wry smile. “Probably because I was worried you’d think I’d gone round the bend.”
Then his face turned serious. “So…what’s your answer, Indie? I want you in my life. Always. Will you say yes?”
“Yes, yes, yes,” she said, her eyes filling with tears. “Yes, Stone Hudson, I’ll marry you. Tonight if you want. I love you, Stone, I really do.”
“Sweetheart.” The word was a soft whisper, then he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it, almost with an air of reverence. Then he got up and pulled her up and into his arms and his kiss told her that the love he’d expressed was real. All his feelings and raw emotions were in that kiss.
When he finally released her Indie stared up at him, her heart brimming over with love. Then she whispered up at him, “When?”
He gave her a confused smile. “When?”
“Yes,” she said as she stroked his arm. “How soon can we get married? I’m available now.”
He laughed at that. “Well, I hadn’t thought that far ahead but maybe we could make it a spring wedding. Or what about June? That's a popular time for weddings.”
“That’s too far away,” she said with a little pout. “I can’t wait that long to have you. What about now?”
He looked even more confused. “Now, as in tonight?”
She decided to back off a little so she wouldn’t come off as crazy. “Well, maybe not tonight but my birthday is coming up soon and I thought…getting married to you on my birthday would be the best present I could ever have.” Then she said cheekily, “Or maybe even the day before, just to be on the safe side.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “The safe side?”
She shrugged. “Well, you know, in lots of cultures it’s thought that the day begins at sundown of the previous day. I would love to get married as the sun sets on the eve of my birthday. That way I could wake up on my birthday as your wife.”
He shook his head and gave her a loving smile. “You are something else, and that’s why I love you so much. Who else would have thought of something so beautiful and so meaningful?”
She slid her arms around his waist and smiled up at him. “So we’ll do it?”
“We’ll do it,” he said with a firm nod. “An eve-of- birthday wedding. Perfect.” Then he bent his head to kiss her forehead. “And I hope you’re not expecting any additional presents from me, young lady.”