This is it. This is him breaking up with you. Officially.
I lifted my chin, stiffening my spine. "Go ahead," I invited, proud that my voice didn't waver. "I can take it."
"I love you."
His words didn't register—they were so foreign, so removed, so opposite to what I'd expected that I couldn't process them.
"What?"
He moved into my office, coming around my desk to drop to his knees in front of me.
"I love you, Millie. I know it's too soon. I know it's irrational. I know this is the worst possible moment after the clusterfuck that was Sally. But it's true. I've been falling in love with you since I saw your burger underwear."
He caught my hand, holding it tight as I stared down at him, mute with shock.
"When Sally told me what she did, I dropped everything to be here. You're all that matters. Losing you, the thought of it—" he broke off, shaking his head. "It rips me a-fucking-part."
He pulled an envelope from his pocket, handing it to me. "Sally wanted to publish a media release explaining that we were nothing to each other. I decided to rewrite it to describe what I hope we could be."
As he watched I opened the envelope, pulling a piece of paper-free. With shaking hands, I unfolded the sheet, reading the handwritten release.
Billionaire marries burger babe
Ash Dogg, Founder, and CEO of Dogg Wood Industries is proud to announce his marriage to Millie Hawthorn, Founder, and CEO of Thorn and Kei Designs. The two were married in a private ceremony in Vegas following a whirlwind romance.
"When I look at Millie, I see my future. She's all I've ever wanted. She's all I'll ever want. She's the love of my life."
Mr. Dogg and Ms. Hawthorn will honeymoon before returning to Capricorn Cove to live happily ever after.
I looked up, a strange fluttering feeling taking residence in my chest.
"I love you, Millie." From his pocket he withdrew a ring, holding it out to me. "I'm sorry. I'm so fucking sorry you have no idea. But know this. If you say yes, if you take me right now, then I want to do it right. I want you to marry me. I want to journey through this life with you. I want to have a family, have a future, have a life that involves you."
I stared into his eyes, searching for any sign he might have doubts. Looking for any hesitancy.
There was none to be found.
I cleared my throat. "I have conditions."
He froze, the ring still held out to me. "Anything."
"One weekend a month we have a strict no-work policy."
His lips twitched, relief softening his face. "Agreed."
"And no work after nine unless it's a call internationally. And then you have to go into work later the next morning."
His smile grew. "Absolutely."
"And we take two vacations a year."
"Counter—four."
I raised an eyebrow. "Four?"
"Yeah. One each season."
I smiled, my heart lifting. "Alright. Four. And here's my final condition."
