by Cara Summers
Lily couldn't have named all the feelings streaming through her. Except for one. For the first time in her life she felt as if she belonged.
"Marry me," Tony said. "I'm not letting you out of this bed until you say yes."
Dame Vera took her ear off the glass she had pressed to the bedroom door. Then she turned to the Romanos who were waiting eagerly for the news.
"There's going to be a wedding," she said quietly in her best soothsayer's voice.
Alistair shook his head. "Now you know where she gets all her predictions."
But the Romanos weren't paying attention to him. They were too busy giving each other high fives and hugs.
"You're next, Drew," A.J. said as she slapped his hand.
"No," Vera Corrected. "Alistair and I will be next."
"Here. Here," Drew said in a relieved tone. "I'll drink to that."
"There's a downside to being part of this family." Tony whispered the words as he nibbled at Lily's ear-lobe.
"And that would be?" Lily could feel her mind clouding already and his lips were barely brushing against her skin.
"No privacy. Can't you hear them out there?"
"Yes." Shifting her head, she whispered, "About the privacy. I have this plan."
Tony laughed. "I'll bet you do. And it'll probably work."
Placing her hands on the sides of his face, she met his eyes. "Seriously. What do you think of my plan for the hotel?"
"It's perfect," he said. "You remember that old Ben Franklin saying, Early to bed, early to rise?"
"Yes."
"Well, I think it was a smart move on my part to take you early to bed."
Her eyes narrowed. "The way I remember it, it was as much my idea as yours."
He grinned at her. "Okay. I'll share the credit. Either way, I'd say it was a good move on both our parts. Together, we've found a way to make all the Romanos wealthy, but they're going to have to handle the healthy and wise part on their own. From now on, I intend to focus all my attention on you. I love you, Lily McNeil."
Lily laughed as she drew Tony's mouth to hers. "I love you too, Tony Romano."