Chapter 12 - THE MAN WHO LEARNED TO WAIT
Dante proposed six months after the restaurant opened.
Not with a helicopter.
Not with a ballroom.
Not with an audience.
He proposed in the kitchen.
It was nearly midnight.
The last customers had left.
Marcus was cleaning the grill.
I was counting receipts.
Dante walked in carrying a small paper bag.
I looked up.
“What's that?”
“Dessert.”
I smiled.
“From where?”
He placed the bag on the counter.
Inside was a slice of terrible apple pie.
I stared.
Then laughed.
“No.”
He grinned.
“Yes.”
I looked at him.
“Where did you find this?”
“The old diner.”
I laughed harder.
“Why?”
He looked at me.
“Because that's where I met the woman who changed my life.”
My smile faded.
He reached into his pocket.
My heart stopped.
“Dante.”
He knelt.
I covered my mouth.
“Clare Murphy.”
His voice trembled.
“You told me I was too fancy for your diner.”
I laughed through tears.
“You were.”
He smiled.
“You made fun of my coffee order.”
“You deserved it.”
He nodded.
“And you reminded me that being feared isn't the same as being respected.”
My eyes filled.
He opened a velvet box.
Inside was a beautiful ring.
“Will you marry me?”
I stared at him.
Then smiled.
“Yes.”
He blinked.
“Yes?”
I laughed.
“Yes, Dante.”
He stood and kissed me.
Marcus shouted from the kitchen:
“FINALLY!”
May you like
We both laughed.
And the terrible apple pie sat forgotten on the counter.
