Chapter 14 - THE PROPOSAL BENEATH THE CITY LIGHTS
Two years after the scandal, Julian took Tess to the rooftop garden of his company's headquarters.
Manhattan glittered beneath the evening sky.
Tess looked around.
“What's the occasion?”
Julian smiled.
“Dinner.”
She laughed.
“You're terrible at surprises.”
He grinned.
“Am I?”
They ate beneath strings of warm lights.
Talked about work.
Laughed.
Remembered the strange way they'd met.
Then Julian stood.
“Tess.”
She looked up.
He took her hand.
“Two years ago, you told me something nobody else had the courage to say.”
Her eyes filled.
He continued.
“You didn't know what it would cost you.”
She shook her head.
“I knew enough.”
He smiled.
He knelt.
Tess covered her mouth.
Julian opened a small velvet box.
Inside was a simple diamond ring.
“Tess Callahan, you taught me that love isn't believing every promise.”
His voice trembled.
“It's knowing someone will tell you the truth even when the truth hurts.”
Tears slid down her cheeks.
He smiled.
“Will you marry me?”
She nodded.
“Yes.”
He laughed.
“Really?”
She nodded again.
“Yes, Julian.”
He slipped the ring onto her finger.
Then stood and kissed her.
May you like
Below them, Manhattan glittered.
And for the first time, Julian wasn't afraid to imagine a future.
