“I signed everything I have over to you, Evie. All the money and the power it represents are yours.”
I stare. His words penetrate, my brain is translating them for me, but somehow they don’t compute. Nobody gives away billions of dollars!
When I don’t respond, he adds, “Literally everything. This house. The cars. All my clothes.” He gestures at his own outfit. “Technically I shouldn’t even be wearing these because they’re yours. Even my underwear.”
“Oh my God.” I’m shaking all over. Even my heart feels jittery. How could he do this? It’s crazy. Maddening. Humbling. And I know this is the man I’ll always love, till the moment I draw my final breath. “Take it back, Nate!”
He shrugs. “Can’t. You know Ken. He does impeccable work.”
“Tell him no.”
“It’s a done deal.” He takes my hand between his palms. “Evie, I love you. All that I have means nothing without you in my life.”
“But Nate, I didn’t… I never wanted this. I didn’t do it because I wanted your money.”
“I know, but that’s why I love you. You don’t care about any of that.”
He goes on his knees.
My heart is thundering, and it’s a miracle I can hear anything over the roaring in my head.
“I’m doing a terrible job of this, but I want you to know I love you,” he says. “Will you marry me?” He pulls out a four-leaf clover. “I made a loop. YouTube had a tutorial on how to make a clover ring, but I wanted to get one with four leaves for luck. Just in case. Took me friggin’ hours. I thought about a Tiffany ring, but then I realized spending your money to get you a ring would be wrong.”
Laughter and hot emotions swell like a tide. “You silly man. You didn’t have to do this.”
“I did, and I do. I want you to have peace of mind.” He smiles. “I also wanted to make sure you take me back. In case you didn’t know, I don’t draw salary for the work I do. So if you don’t take me back, I’m going to be homeless.”
“You won’t be homeless!”
“And naked.”
“That’s—”
“Left swinging in the wind. Like,
literally. Because I’m naked. You getting an image…?”
“Shut up.” Tears sting my eyes and nose. “You’re crazy, you know that?”
“Crazy in love with you. Evie, say you’ll marry me.”
“Of course I’ll marry you. I love you too much not to, and there’s no way I’m letting any other woman see you naked.” I extend my hand. “Put that ring on me.”
He slides the four-leaf clover on my finger. It fits perfectly. And I couldn’t have asked for a better proposal.
Chapter Fifty-Two
Nate
It’s our wedding day—with the proper ceremony Evie deserves.
No expense is spared. Well, she tried to spend some of the billions that are rightfully hers now, but Barron overrode her and decided to pay for it—with the attendant garish ice swans and fountains. He insisted on a yacht wedding, and I told her to just go with it because that’s easier than fighting, unless she really doesn’t want the ice swans and fountains.
Barron also included Mari in the planning. Evie and Mari’s relationship is slightly strained, but they’re working it out. Evie’s slowly accepting that her mom did what she did to protect her, even though part of her still resents the deception.
Although I could only afford the four-leaf clover ring, Evie gave me a stunning platinum band with onyx stones around it to cement our commitment. I admire the ring as I drink a celebratory brandy in my cabin. The sunlight reflects just so, making the band sparkle brightly.
Dane gives me a look. “What’s that ring? You aren’t even married yet.”