Over the last two years, we moved to Malibu, Finn won an Independent Spirit Award for the movie that we had worked on together and became People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive. I started my own wardrobe styling business and just landed a big account with Universal. Three medium-budget movies! On my request, we kept our relationship pretty private, and because I’m not famous, the paparazzi have pretty much left us alone. But occasionally, I do see pictures of myself in US Weekly, shopping at Trader Joe’s in sweats. I rarely look good, and I’ve learned to avoid those magazines altogether.
Last year for our one-year anniversary, Finn and I both had to work (him in Norway and me in LA), and we had to celebrate the day over FaceTime. So, when this one was coming up, he said that he had planned something extra special, but it’s a surprise. Finn isn’t really the super romantic sort, but I still have no idea what to expect.
“Where are we going? Can you at least tell me that?” I turn to him in the back of the limousine.
“That would ruin the surprise.”
“Why can’t I at least take this off?” I ask, referring to the silk blindfold around my eyes. I don’t know anything about this, except that I should wear a dress and bring a jacket and a scarf. As a wardrobe stylist, I find it particularly annoying getting dressed for a surprise event. A dress and a jacket and a scarf? In the middle of a Southern California summer?
I’m not sure if I should wear something too dressy or too casual, so I finally settle on a short, light blue dress with pockets and a tailored waist. It can really go either way. With heels, it’s a good fit for a fancy restaurant and, in flats, it’s a good option for the beach. I bring a pair of flats, just in case, a tightly-fitted black jacket, and translucent chiffon scarf.
When we arrive at our destination, Finn suggests that maybe flats are in order. I change my shoes, and he helps me out of the limo. We walk for a few minutes over soft grass.
“Good call on the flats,” I say.
“Okay,” Finn stops me. “I’m going to take off the blindfold now.”
We’re standing on a paddock, and there’s a giant yellow hot air balloon tied up next to us.
“Oh my God,” I whisper, unable to contain my excitement. “I’ve always wanted to go on a hot air balloon ride!”
“I know,” he smiles in that coy way that makes me swoon. “That’s why we’re here.”
A few minutes later, we are flying high above the fields of Temecula, the wine region of Southern California. The view is absolutely breathtaking. Rolling hills, vast horizons, patches of green and yellow for as far as the eye can see.
“This is magical,” I whisper, holding on to Finn as tightly as I can.
“No, you are,” he says.
I turn to face him. A few strands of hair fall into his face. His eyes twinkle in the sunlight.
“Thank you,” I say. “This is the best anniversary present ever.”
“There’s something else,” he says after a moment of gazing into my eyes.
Suddenly, his face grows more serious. Contemplative. For a second, it feels like something is wrong, but then he reaches into the front pocket of his grey suit jacket and pulls out a tiny little box.
I look at it. No. No, this can’t be what I think it is. Can it?
“Chloe, you have completely changed my life. You have made me into someone who loves life. You have made me a better man. You have taught me what love is, and for that I can never thank you enough. Every day I feel myself falling more and more in love with you. I cannot imagine my life without you.”
Finn gets down on one knee and opens the ring box. Inside, there’s a large halo diamond ring with little sparkling diamonds all around the sides.
My heart starts to beat faster and faster. The world spins all around me. It’s difficult to tell whether it’s me or the balloon.
“Will you marry me?”
I look into his eyes. We haven’t talked about marriage at all. This is the last thing I ever expected, but there’s only one answer to his question.
“Yes,” I whisper and wrap my arms around him.
“Yes? Yes? Yes?” Finn asks over and over. It’s as if he can’t believe it. I can’t really believe it myself.
When I look up into his eyes again, Finn has never looked this happy. He pulls me closer to him. I close my eyes. When our lips collide, the entire world becomes a blur. Life is an adventure, and he’s is the only person I want to take on my adventure.
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Books by Charlotte byrd
Wild Brothers Series (both standalone novels)
1. Falling for the CEO - out now
2. The Debt - out now
One Series
1. One Semester - out now
2. One Weekend - out now
3. One Year (One Semester and One Weekend combined) - out now
Billionaire Matchmaker Novels
1. Malibu Connection - out now
2. The Date - out now
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The Billionaire Matchmaker Page 30