by Paula Kay
The sound of Thomas’s light snoring made her smile. He’d been asleep for a good hour and she tried not to make too much noise as she worked to unpack her suitcase. Already, Isabella felt relaxed and happy as she thought about their next four days on the island. She’d decided that she wouldn’t do any work unless she was absolutely struck with something that she had to write. Thomas would be leaving only two days after they returned to Thailand, and she wanted to spend every minute that they had left together.
She carefully picked up the little box that contained a small amount of Arianna’s ashes that she’d almost forgotten to pack. She needed to update the map; now she could add Indonesia to the list of Southeast Asian countries that she’d been to. Bali had most certainly been on Arianna’s list.
She saw Thomas watching her out of the corner of her eye as she placed the box in the drawer of the nightstand beside her bed.
He smiled at her as he scooted over to the other side of the bed. “How’s it been, Iz?” He nodded his head in the direction of the drawer she’d just closed. “With the ashes? Does it still make you sad?”
Isabella sat down on the edge of the bed and turned to look at him lying there beside her. “You know, it doesn’t make me sad. Not really. Mostly it makes me feel closer to her.” She looked down, wondering if her words were going to make any sense to him.
He reached out and pulled her back gently against the pillow as he turned on his side to look at her. “I think that’s wonderful, Iz.” He leaned over and gave her a quick kiss.
She smiled at his words and his kiss. “It’s like somehow I’ve gotten to know her more and more through my own travels and—” Isabella hadn’t shared her most recent thoughts about Arianna with anyone—not even Thomas.
“And?” He reached out and rubbed the length of her arm with gentle fingers. The touch was so sweet, so loving, that Isabella felt herself on the verge of tears.
She looked into his eyes for only a moment before she spoke. “And sometimes I talk to her. In that moment, when the breeze lifts her ashes out of my hand, I feel like she’s whispering to me—like she’s there with me, thanking me for bringing her on this journey.” She reached for Thomas’s hand, giving it a squeeze. “I don’t know if I’m explaining it very well. I probably sound a bit nuts, huh?”
Thomas kissed her on the lips. “No. You’re explaining it perfectly—beautifully. It’s something very special and I’m glad that you’ve had that with her—that you’ll keep having that.”
Isabella nodded.
“Do you want to bring it with us tonight? I’m sure we can find a pretty spot by the water.”
“Yeah, I will, but there’s no pressure. I’ve really been trying to trust my instinct about the right location and time. I’m sure we’ll be able to find the perfect spot here in Bali.” She stood up from the bed and reached for Thomas’s hand. “Speaking of perfect spots, Thomas you have to check out the rooftop. You’re not going to believe the view from up there.”
Thomas let her pull him up from the bed. He checked his phone on the nightstand. “Sure, we have about an hour before our driver comes to pick us up. I figure we’ll explore a bit of the area, maybe go for a walk on the beach, and then go to one of those little beach restaurants we passed on the way here. Something casual for tonight I think would be fun.”
Isabella grinned. “I like it when you’re in charge.”
Thomas raised his eyebrows and swatted her lightly on the behind. “Is that so?”
Isabella laughed as she took off running out of the room with Thomas chasing after her.
Chapter 31
Isabella combed through her wet hair while looking in the bathroom mirror. It had been such a magical two days in Bali. They’d gone for long walks on the beach and snorkeled in clear water full of fish and coral. She and Thomas had been talking—and connecting—on a deeper level than they ever had before, and everything about it was comforting to her.
And now Thomas was taking her somewhere special for Christmas dinner. She missed her parents and her whole family in Tuscany, of course, but somehow it felt just right that she and Thomas should spend the holiday alone together in such a magical part of the world.
She finished drying off and wrapped the thick plush bathrobe around her. She opened the door quietly and before she stepped out into the bedroom, she could see Thomas where he stood outside on the balcony. She felt a lump in her throat at the sight of him. When had he become so handsome to her? His profile was perfect and she didn’t miss the fact that he was wearing a suit. She smiled. Where had he gotten a suit?
She walked out into the bedroom, just as he turned to walk toward her.
“Thomas, what’s going on around here?” She laughed. “You certainly look handsome—but where did the suit come from? I’m quite sure that you didn’t have that packed with you. Now I’m also not sure that I have the appropriate attire for tonight’s—apparently quite fancy—dinner.” She was laughing but the reality was that she didn’t have anything with her to match how dressed-up Thomas was for the occasion.
Thomas grinned at her and reached down by the side of the bed to bring up a large white box with a giant red bow. “Merry Christmas, Iz.” He brought it around to the other side of the bed, setting it down and then pulling her in for a big hug.
“Thomas! But I didn’t get you anything. I thought we said—”
“Shh. Just open it.”
Isabella lifted the cover off the box and pulled the tissue paper back to reveal the most gorgeous deep red fabric. She lifted it out and held it at arm’s length to admire the most beautiful dress she’d ever seen. “Oh, Thomas, it’s so gorgeous. Where on earth—how—where did this come from?” Isabella was both pleasantly surprised and entirely confused.
Thomas smiled. “Let’s just say that you can finally put your mind at ease as to what some of my phones calls have been about.”
“Ahh, I see.” And more of the pieces started to come together in Isabella’s head, allowing her to feel completely content in a single moment about the last questions that had been troubling her. He had been planning this whole time. It was all starting to make sense to her as more and more of their trip had been revealed to her.
Thomas took the dress from her, putting it on a hanger that he held in his hand. “Wayan is going to steam this for you and she’s also got someone waiting for you downstairs to do your nails and hair. Oh, and I almost forgot.” He walked over to his closet to bring out a shoebox, taking off the lid and handing it to Isabella with a grin. “I think you’ll find these acceptable. Well, the woman who picked them out told me that any woman would die to have these in her closet.”
Isabella flung her arms around Thomas’s neck. “I can’t believe you’ve done all this. It’s really such a surprise. I love it all. I can’t wait to put it on.”
Thomas had a mischievous grin on his face.
Isabella laughed. “What’s that look for?”
“Yeah, about my present?”
Isabella nodded and made a funny face at him. “Yes, the present that I’ve not gotten for you yet.”
“Seeing you in that dress tonight is going to be beyond any gift you could give me. You’re going to look stunning, Iz.”
“I love you so much. You’re entirely too good to me, Thomas.”
Thomas leaned in to wipe away the single tear that had slid down her cheek, and the way he was looking at her caused her heart to beat rapidly. He kissed her deeply on the lips before he pulled away. “I love you too, Iz. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” A few seconds passed, the look between them genuine and more real than anything Isabella had ever dared to dream of. “Now go. Get ready so I can see you in that dress.”
Isabella grinned and gave him one last quick kiss on the cheek. “Going!”
“Ready?” Isabella called downstairs to Thomas.
“I’m so ready to see you in that dress. Get down here, woman.”
Isabella took one last look in the full-length mirro
r, smoothing her hair back with her hand and smiling at her reflection. She was thankful that at the last minute of her packing, she’d included her red lipstick and a small make-up bag with a few items that she sometimes applied for special occasions.
She started her descent down the stairway, fully aware of Thomas standing at the bottom waiting for her.
“Oh, Iz. Wow!”
The way he was looking at her was causing her heart to beat faster, and she hoped that the smile on her face matched the way that his admiration was making her feel—adored. She felt completely adored by Thomas. All the discussions and things that they’d worked through during the past few days slipped away from her thoughts. She promised in that moment to let go of her past mistakes and only focus on a future that she had with the man she loved.
“So you like it?” she teased him when she’d reached the bottom of the staircase, enjoying the almost stunned expression on his face.
“Uh, that would be the understatement of the year, I’d say.” He took her hands in his as he stepped back a little, his eyes traveling down the length of her body to her carefully manicured toes and back up to her eyes and the smile that she knew stretched wide across her face. “Isabella, you look absolutely gorgeous.”
She took a step toward him, kissing him lightly on the lips and then carefully wiping off the lipstick that she’d left behind at the corner of his mouth. “Why, thank you. And I love the dress. You did very well—or whomever you had helping you did very well.” She laughed.
“Hey, I was pretty involved, I’ll have you know.”
“Were you?”
“Yes, I looked through many different photos of dresses that were sent to me before they’d gotten the color just right—and the neckline.” He winked at her and Isabella laughed, her fingers automatically going to her cleavage.
“Can you guess my inspiration?”
“Yes, I think so.” Isabella didn’t know why, but she felt a little shy all of a sudden. “Maybe the dress I wore in London last year—the night you kissed me? The ‘mistake kiss’.” Isabella did air quotes around the words, and Thomas laughed as he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her to him.
“That kiss was just my wild fantasies coming to fruition, and it was you in that red dress you were wearing that made it impossible to hold back.”
“Oh, is that so?” she said, enjoying their flirtation.
“And on that note, we better get going before I start to get other ideas. We have about a thirty-minute drive ahead of us, so plenty of time to admire you in the car.” He placed her hand firmly at his elbow as he led her out to the car waiting for them outside.
Chapter 32
Isabella looked across the table at Thomas as he lifted his glass of wine out in front of him. “To you, my lovely Isabella. Merry Christmas and thank you for giving me the best year of my life.”
Isabella couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but ever since they’d arrived at the restaurant, Thomas had suddenly gone slightly quiet. She was trying to push the thought out of her mind because everything was so beautiful—so perfect. She turned her attention to him as she clinked her glass with his.
“To us. And thank you for this wonderful dinner.”
Thomas had really outdone himself, renting out an entire restaurant with an incredible view of the water. They could hear the waves crashing against the rocks below, and the moonlight filled up the sky perfectly. In one corner of the restaurant a string quartet played soft romantic music, and every bite of the seafood dishes they’d ordered had been spectacular.
Thomas held out his fork with a piece of chocolate cake on the end of it. “You’ve gotta try this.”
“Okay, but it’s the last bite of food that is going in my mouth tonight.” She allowed him to feed her. “That was worth it. Wow. Everything was so delicious. We’re going to have to run an extra mile in the morning.” She laughed at the look on Thomas’s face. “What? You already know that you’re not going to run with me tomorrow?”
Thomas laughed. “We’ll see. Or maybe we’ll be sleeping in tomorrow.” He winked and then seemed to be studying her for a good long while again.
She didn’t miss the fact that he’d been running his fingers through his hair an awful lot during dinner. She laughed lightly and reached her hand across the table to his. “Thomas, what’s up with you?”
“What?” He grinned at her.
“You know what? You know I can always tell when you’ve got something on your mind.”
“You know me so well, huh?” He was grinning and then he got up from his chair to walk across the room to tell the waiter something.
Isabella watched him, curious about what was going on. He certainly had been full of surprises during their entire trip so far.
Thomas came back over to the table and leaned down to give her a kiss. He reached for her hand. “Come with me. Let’s go for a little walk by the water.”
Isabella took his hand and stood up. “Hmm. I’m not so sure about walking in these shoes.” She didn’t wear heels enough to be great in them to begin with, but she knew they wouldn’t work for walking in the sand.
Thomas grinned. “It’s okay. I have you covered.” He gestured toward the top of the stairs that led down to the water and Isabella could see her favorite pair of flip-flops sitting there.
She laughed. “You really thought of everything.”
She felt Thomas’s hand tighten around hers as they neared the bottom of the stone steps. As they started walking to the right, Isabella could see a table set up under a beautiful canopy, and as they got closer she could see the champagne in the ice bucket and hear the violinist who had begun playing quietly off to the side.
“Thomas!” She looked up at him. “What is all this? You’ve really outdone yourself in the romance department tonight.”
“You think? I hope so. I never want you to question how special you are to me.”
“Thomas.” She stopped and looked at him. “I’m absolutely the luckiest girl in the world right now. I can’t believe that you’ve done all this.”
They started walking again and when Isabella moved toward the chair, Thomas pulled her gently away to stand in the sand not far from the table, his eyes never leaving her face.
Isabella felt the tears behind her eyes. Before he even spoke a word, she could see the intensity on his face, the love that he had for her. A light breeze whipped her hair and he reached out to place it back behind her ears like he’d done a hundred times before, his light touch against her face making her shiver for wanting a kiss from him.
She leaned in to kiss him and then he took both of her hands in his, creating a little more space between them.
“A year ago today, I took a leap of faith when I went to you in Tuscany—to tell you things that I couldn’t keep to myself any longer.”
“To tell me that you loved me.” Isabella could only whisper the words. It was an important day—she’d thought of it as their anniversary. It was the day that things had forever changed between her and her best friend. The day that she finally knew for certain that she wasn’t alone in how she felt for Thomas. And now here he was, being so sweet to her, showing and telling her all day long that the day had held just as much meaning for him as it did for her.
“Yes. I remember telling you that night, after we kissed, that I had some things to say to you.”
Isabella nodded. She could remember that night—the kiss and his words—just like it was yesterday.
He squeezed her hands a little tighter. “Well, Miss Isabella Dawson, tonight I have some more things that I want to say to you.”
His smile was so tender, and Isabella thought she could see a hint of tears glistening in his eyes as he took a deep breath.
“From the moment I met you all those years ago in science class, I never wanted to be apart from you. You were always the one person I could count on, without fail, to laugh at my jokes, and your friendship over the years has meant more to me than I could ever
express.
“Finally realizing just a year ago that you are the only one for me—that I could never imagine my life without you in it—has altered my life in ways I could never have imagined.”
Isabella’s hands went to her mouth as Thomas got down on one knee in the sand in front of her. She could feel the tears starting and she was shaking a little as she watched him take a small box out of his pocket. As she looked at his face—so serious—the whole scene felt surreal to her for a few seconds, as if she actually needed to pinch herself to be sure that she wasn’t dreaming.
Thomas opened the lid of the box and held it out in front of him so that Isabella could look down and see the most spectacular diamond ring she’d ever laid eyes on—not just because of the cut and size, but because of the person holding the ring out to her.
“Isabella Dawson, will you marry me?”
Isabella felt so stunned that she couldn’t speak for a few seconds as she stared at Thomas holding the ring. “Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you. Oh, Thomas!” Isabella flung herself into his arms, sobbing tears of joy as he held her and kissed her deeply before wiping all her tears away with his hand.
“You will? You’ll be my wife?”
He was teasing her; she stuck her hand out in front of her so that he could place the ring on her finger.
“Thomas, it’s gorgeous!” She held out her hand so that they could both admire the ring on her finger.
“You know what I think, Isabella Dawson?” Thomas took her face in both his hands as he leaned in to give her the sweetest kiss.
“What’s that?” She whispered the question, hardly able to think, for all the overwhelming thoughts she was having.
“I think that you are the most gorgeous diamond-wearing kinda girl I’ve ever seen in my life. You, my love, make that ring look spectacular.”
Isabella laughed, the memory of their not-so-long-ago shopping trip in San Francisco flashing through her mind.
“Thank you, Thomas—for making me the happiest girl in the world.” She took his hand and placed it over her heart. “Can you feel how fast my heart is still beating? Oh…” The thought flickered through her mind. It was the perfect moment in Bali, but she hadn’t been thinking of it when they’d left the villa earlier.