Chapter 13 - THE PROPOSAL IN THE HOSPITAL PARKING LOT
Tristan proposed where we first met.
Not in his penthouse.
Not at a luxury restaurant.
Not on a private island.
Outside the south entrance of St. Catherine's Medical Center.
It was raining.
Of course it was.
I had just finished a shift.
A black SUV waited near the curb.
I stopped.
Then laughed.
“You have got to be kidding.”
The rear door opened.
Tristan stepped out.
He wore a navy suit.
The same color he'd worn the night I accidentally fell asleep beside him.
I crossed my arms.
“Is this some kind of joke?”
He smiled.
“Possibly.”
I walked toward him.
“Tristan.”
He took my hands.
“Bianca Carter.”
My heart began pounding.
He looked nervous.
Very nervous.
“I've negotiated billion-dollar deals without losing my voice.”
I laughed.
“Congratulations.”
“But standing here with you, I can barely speak.”
My eyes filled.
He swallowed.
“The first time we met, you were exhausted, embarrassed, and completely unaware of who I was.”
I smiled.
“I remember.”
“You didn't ask for anything.”
He continued.
“You didn't care about my money. You didn't care about my reputation.”
His voice softened.
“You cared about people.”
Tears slipped down my cheeks.
“And you taught me that love isn't about controlling someone's life.”
He reached into his pocket.
A small velvet box.
He opened it.
Inside was a beautiful diamond ring.
Simple.
Elegant.
Perfect.
“Bianca.”
His voice broke.
“Will you marry me?”
I stared at him.
Then laughed through tears.
“You brought me back to the scene of the crime.”
He laughed.
“I did.”
I looked into his eyes.
“Yes.”
He froze.
“Yes?”
I nodded.
“Yes, Tristan.”
He pulled me into his arms.
The rain fell around us.
Cars passed.
Hospital staff hurried through the entrance.
And somewhere behind us, a security guard began clapping.
Then another.
Then several nurses.
I laughed.
May you like
Tristan kissed me.
And for once, I didn't run away.
