“Nick.”
He smiled nervously.
“I had an entire speech prepared.”
She stared at the box.
“Did you?”
“Yes.”
“What happened to it?”
“I've forgotten most of it.”
She laughed through sudden tears.
Nicholas took her hand.
“I know this is rather conventional.”
“Is it?”
“For a man who's spent a year learning not to make decisions on your behalf, perhaps it's a little presumptuous.”
Maggie smiled.
He opened the box.
Inside lay a delicate diamond ring surrounded by tiny sapphires.
It was elegant rather than extravagant.
A ring chosen with attention, not merely money.
Nicholas looked into her eyes.
“I don't want you to stop being Maggie Bennett.”
Her expression softened.
“I don't want you to give up your work, your independence, or your ridiculous habit of arguing with people twice your size.”
She laughed.
“I want to marry the woman who walked into my elevator and told me exactly what she thought of me.”
Her eyes filled.
“The woman who taught me that being successful isn't the same as being worth loving.”
He took a breath.
“Maggie, will you marry me?”
For a moment, she could not speak.
Nicholas watched her anxiously.
She looked at the ring.
Then at his face.
Then smiled through tears.
“Yes.”
His expression changed.
“Yes?”
She laughed.
“Yes, Nicholas Sterling.”
He closed his eyes in relief.
“Thank God.”
She laughed harder.
He slipped the ring onto her finger.
Then drew her into his arms.
She kissed him.
Outside, the orchestra began playing the evening's opening music.
For a few precious seconds, neither cared.
Then a knock sounded at the dressing-room door.
A familiar voice called from outside.
“Miss Bennett?”
They turned.
Denise, the receptionist from Sterling Tower, stood in the doorway.
She had volunteered to help coordinate the reopening reception, and she was wearing an elegant ivory suit with her familiar gold brooch.
She smiled.
“Miss Bennett, they're waiting for you.”
Maggie stared at her.
Then looked at Nicholas.
He began laughing.
Denise looked confused.
“Is something amusing?”
Maggie covered her mouth.
Nicholas shook his head.
“Nothing, Denise.”
The receptionist glanced toward the ring on Maggie's finger.
Her eyes widened.
“Oh!”
Maggie smiled.
Denise clasped her hands.
“Congratulations!”
“Thank you.”
Nicholas offered Maggie his arm.
“Shall we?”
She took it.
Then paused.
“Nick?”