Calliope rushed to zip her white knee-length cotton dress for tonight's dinner. She wanted to look sweet and innocent for when Michael arrived. She finished as there was a knock on the door. She hadn't found her shoes yet, so she trampled to the front door in her bare feet. She froze as she saw the frown on Michael's face. Then her hand went to her chest and she opened the door wider to invite him in.
He nodded and said, "Calliope."
His frown expressed that he knew. Her heart went still, and prayed she could explain. As he passed her, she hoped she was wrong and pasted a smile on her face. "Michael, you're early."
As she closed the door behind him, ice felt like it raced up her spine as he said, "I heard what you did today."
Explain. Her face felt hot as she stared at his black leather shoes. "You heard Chris was there."
He came closer. She didn't move, but she looked up as he said, "You said you weren't going to interfere."
The promise had been made before she knew it had been Chris and her fault he might not get the deal he wanted. She reached out for Michael, but he stepped back. She hugged herself. "So you want to let Chris Sommers who hates you decide the fate of your future because you don't want me involved."
He reached out for her hand as his eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"
With an intake of breath, she realized he hadn't known who opposed him on the board. "Chris was the one behind the possibility that you might not get the funding. I couldn't let that happen. I'd not let him ruin you because of me."
He squeezed her hand and then pointed toward the couch as he said, "You're going too fast. Explain."
With his hand on her elbow, he led her to sit. At least he wasn't so grim. She sat but held his hands as she said, "He told Brandon he'd stop your company's future because you slept with me."
"Calliope..."
She reached up and played with his jawline. "Michael, I love you and I can't let your company dreams gets ruined because of me. When Brandon called me and told me to join him, I ran over there."
His face and entire body became stiff. She didn't move as she waited for whatever he'd say. Then his blue eyes became serious as he said, "My dreams are nothing without you, Calliope."
Her fingers curled around his neck. "So you forgive me."
Then he kissed her and she forgot everything else. She closed her eyes and felt like the sun and all its rays were inside her soul, ready to shine to the world. As he let her go, she wasn't ready to open and instead curled into his lap and shoulder.
He pushed her hair out of her face and gently massaged her as he said, "I was thinking a lot about what you said this morning."
She finally opened her eyes and met his gaze. "And?"
He lowered his voice. "And you are right that the voice in my head that criticizes and makes me doubt myself is my father."
Then she scooted off him, but turned to face him. "You are better than he let you believe."
"I know. I spent my entire life proving him wrong and I don't want to lose you because I listened to his ghost tell me how I wasn't good enough."
Wow. The wind that blew the palm trees in the distance. Michael’s shoulders were rigid, and she wished to comfort him. She reached out and pressed her hand on his shoulder. "You are good enough to do anything you want."
Without a word he placed his hand on hers as she held him. He stared at her for countless seconds and she held herself together and waited. "Then I want you to marry me."
Her heart raced. "What?"
He squeezed her hands, but then stood. She sat on the couch as he said, "Look, I saw you in a wedding dress already, but I don’t believe in superstition about the groom seeing the bride in her gown. I want you to be mine, forever."
Until now she hadn't pictured getting married, not even when she almost did. She couldn't move as she said, "Are you sure?"
"Here." He dropped to one knee and pulled out a box.
She pointed to it as he gazed up at her. "What's this?"
"Patience." He winked and then he opened the box as he said, "This was my grandmother's ring. Before my mother died, she made me promise I'd only ask a woman I was sure loved me and that I wanted to build a life with. Calliope, I thought I lost you once. I won’t let that happen again. Will you marry me?"
"Oh my goodness!" Ripples of excitement had shot through her but she had held still until he finished talking. This was exactly what she wanted and needed. She reached out and pulled him into her with a hug as she kissed his forehead and cheeks and lips.
He kissed her, but then stopped as he asked, "What does that mean?"
She blinked and saw he still held the ring. She let out a happy sigh and said, "Yes! Michael. I love you."
"I love you too." He slipped the diamond ring on her finger. This time, she'd say yes and mean every syllable. As he kissed her, she knew this was her happy-ever-after.
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