Tears streaked down her cheeks as she listened to me. Her blue eyes glimmered with emotion, and she still had her mouth covered. I was overwhelmed too, in a good way. I loved her so much, all I wanted was to make sure she knew she was mine now, and I was never letting go.
“I want you to help me build this paper, but more than that, I want to build a life with you. I want kids, and I want to see the world. I want to come home to you every day, hold you every night. I want you to be my wife.” I waited, my hand hovering in front of her face as she wept. The ring was simple, but I knew she would like it. She was like that, so laid back that she didn’t need expensive things or flashy jewelry, not that I wouldn’t have splurged and purchased the most expensive ring, but that wasn’t her style.
“Yes,” she sobbed, diving onto my lap and wrapping her arms around me. For a moment, I was acutely aware that eyes were watching us. I felt them burning into the back of my head, but when Haley’s lips covered mine in a passionate kiss, I didn’t care at all. The woman of my dreams had just accepted my marriage proposal and the world could burn to the ground around me. I was a happy man.
She sat on my lap for several minutes, and I held her. With the ring clasped in my closed hand, I only wanted to cherish the sweet moment. The phone rang, and I ignored it. Haley was the only thing that mattered in that moment. When she sat up, resting her hands on my shoulders, I saw her makeup smeared, black streaks of mascara streaming down her cheeks.
“I love you, Parker.”
“Hey, pretty girl, I love you too.” I brushed the hair out of her face and looked into her blue eyes. “Nothing is ever going to come between us again. You are what matters most to me. Those people out there watching us right now mean nothing. Yes, I value their loyalty to the paper, but when it comes right down to it, you’re the one I’m spending my life with. You’re what is important.”
She nodded, and I brought my hand up between us. “This is really a beautiful ring. So perfect.” Haley wiped her eyes before she took the ring from my open palm, and she slid it on her finger. It was a bit loose. “Looks like I need to get it sized, but it’s really perfect, Parker. I love it.”
I grinned. “I’m glad you like it. I thought you would.”
She hugged me again and offered another kiss, then slid off my lap and straightened her skirt.
“I think maybe it’s time we told them what is happening because I’m sure that scene they just gawked at is going to start more rumors. Better to make an announcement than let thewildfires rage.” I stood next to her and grabbed her hand, though she looked reluctant.
“Do you really think that’s really a good idea?” she asked, hesitant.
“I think so. Just trust me.” Squeezing her hand for reassurance, I led her to the door. With the door open, I cleared my throat loudly. The staff members who were not already staring at us stopped work and looked up at me. Without any fanfare, I said as loud as I could, “This woman has just agreed to be my wife!”
There was a split second where I thought maybe Haley was right and I shouldn’t have said anything, until the room erupted in cheers and applause. Tom approached me from a nearby cubicle and shook my hand, offering his congratulations, followed by a stream of writers and editors, each there to congratulate both Haley and me. When the crowd finally started to disperse, I turned to Haley and asked, “Do you think we should tell them about the new job too?”
She bit her lip and her brows furrowed, but she nodded and smiled painfully. “If you believe in me, then yes. I think so.”
I could have hugged her and spun her around in a circle, but instead, I offered the next announcement, which was accepted with less enthusiasm, but it didn’t seem to bother Haley one bit. I was on top of the world, and I was taking her with me.
33
HALEY
Iwalked out of the dressing room with the pristine white gown on, and Rachel’s eyes lit up. The strapless number with the sweetheart neckline fit me like a glove. The bodice had been jeweled with French-cut diamonds, nearly three carats’ worth, and tiny emeralds and rubies adorned the waistline and the deep V between my breasts. I loved it, and Parker had told me to spare no expense, so I tried on the fifty-thousand-dollar gown.
“Holy….” Rachel covered her mouth and gasped. “That gown is gorgeous. It has to cost like a million bucks.”
I chuckled. “Fifty grand, but yeah. Too expensive for my blood. Parker told me not to worry about the price, so I tried it on. You think it’s too much?” I looked at her reflection in the mirror as she picked up the six-foot train and marveled at the lace filigree embroidered along its length.
“How much did you spend on the caterer?” Rachel dropped the delicate fabric as the salesperson approached, and I turned to smile at her.
“Well, it’s like a quarter of a million dollars for the place he wants, but I told him he didn’t have to spend that much. I thinkwe’ll go with the less expensive place because I’m just simple that way.”
“Ms. Spencer, I apologize for my delay. Thank you for being patient while I helped our other customers. How do you like the dress?” The saleswoman was all manners and professionalism, which I appreciated. She probably handled wealthy clientele all the time. I, however, was new to the billion-dollar club, and all I wanted was a nice wedding dress that flattered my figure and made Parker smile.
“Actually, I love it, but I don’t think it suits me.” I turned back to the mirror and admired the dress once more. It just wasn’t me even though it was very beautiful. Parker had picked out the ring on my hand because of its simplicity. That’s why I loved it. I wanted a dress that reflected my taste too. “I’d like to try something simpler. No jewels on it.”
The woman looked at me like I was absurd, but she nodded and headed off to the showroom to find something. Rachel snickered at her reaction and held a hand out for me. I took her hand as I stepped down from the pedestal upon which I stood. She helped me down and picked up the train as we strolled back to the dressing room.
“You know, if I were marrying a billionaire, I’d be choosing the most expensive dress in this place.”
I laughed at her. “Yeah, I know. But you’re not and I am, and I like simple things. If he’s going to drop fifty grand on something, I want it to be the honeymoon of my dreams.”
She opened the dressing room door, and I made my way in, terrified to leave a single mark on this dress. The bridal store was probably used to laundering every gown after even being tried on.
“You are really so lucky, Haley. Parker seems like an amazing man from what you tell me. I can’t wait to get to know him better.” Rachel helped me out of the dress and hung it on thehanger as I sat and rested my tired legs. Wedding dresses were heavy. I couldn’t imagine tugging that thing around with me everywhere I went for hours on my wedding day.
“He was frustrated with the insurance company telling me it would take three weeks to get my car resprayed after that paint incident, so he took it to his guy and paid for it. It was done in three days. Can you believe that? The insurance would have paid for it.”
