The Proposal

Two hearts of one mind - that's the story of Maddie and Sean... by Carla Ward

Everything was going according to plan, but Maddie Shelton was still nervous.

She and her boyfriend, Sean, had enjoyed the first two courses of an extravagant meal, featuring lobster and candlelight at a table with a view of the ocean. The four-star restaurant had been as romantic as she’d envisioned, but now that they’d finished their entrée, her stomach knotted.

It was nearly time to ask Sean to marry her.

The idea of proposing to him hadn’t been quite so terrifying last month when she’d purchased a platinum wedding band, but at the moment, her confidence was waning. Would it bother Sean that she did the asking? And more importantly, would he say yes?

The maître d’ appeared with a trolley cart and collected their plates. “And for dessert?” he asked, hands folded primly at his cummerbund.

The knot in Maddie’s stomach tightened as she visualized what was supposed to happen next—the maître d’ delivering Sean’s dessert with the wedding band she’d purchased carefully placed on top like a garnish.

Mouth too dry to speak, she quickly sipped some water. “Tiramisu, please.”

Sean tilted his head. “I’ll have the same.”

“Very good.” The maître d’ gave a little nod and scurried away.

She blew out a breath. No turning back now.

Reaching across the table, she took Sean’s hand, hoping his touch would settle her rattled nerves. “I should’ve known you’d order the same thing I did.”

“Great minds . . .” He playfully waggled his brows, but then something serious flickered in his emerald eyes. “Are you okay? You seem a little off.”

“It’s our second anniversary.” She squeezed his warm fingers and forced a smile. “I’m happy, that’s all.”

He studied her a moment, mindlessly skimming his thumb over her knuckles. A shiver raced through her. “Happy anniversary, Maddie.”

“Happy anniversary.”

She was such a lucky woman. Not only was Sean Harrison the sweetest man she’d ever met, but he always seemed to be on her wavelength. They often finished each other’s sentences and thought of ideas at the same time. In fact, their similar thinking is what got them together in the first place.

They both worked for the city’s top advertising firm, but until they were assigned to work together on a new sports drink campaign, they’d never talked. When they met in Maddie’s office to discuss possible approaches, they were shocked to discover several of their ideas were nearly identical.

Thanks to their instant simpatico, their brainstorming session finished in record time, and Sean asked her to join him downstairs in the company cafeteria for lunch. She eagerly agreed, and they laughed when they both decided against the hot dish being served that afternoon and opted for turkey sandwiches instead.

During that assignment, they fell in love and had been inseparable ever since.

“I’m looking forward to the tiramisu.”

Sean’s voice jerked her from her thoughts.

“Me too,” she said.

The maître d’ returned and carefully set down two plates, both covered with silver domes. “Your desserts.” His lips twitched like he was trying not to grin. Gripping both silver covers, he lifted them at the same time, revealing two squares of espresso-soaked sponge cake with creamy filling. “Enjoy.”

Maddie took in the twinkling wedding band in the middle of Sean’s piece, then looked up at Sean. To her disappointment, he hadn’t noticed.

He was staring at her instead.

“Aren’t you going to take a bite?” she prompted.

“After you.” The serious flicker was back.

Maddie’s heart thumped wildly. The anticipation was killing her. Reluctant to ruin the surprise, she played along and reached for her fork, but when she went to scoop a bite, she froze. A princess-cut diamond ring protruded from her sponge cake.

She blinked. Was there a mistake? Had the maître d' included another table’s ring?

“Whose is this?” she murmured.

Sean grinned. “Yours.”

Her breath snagged in her chest. Tears filled her eyes. Her mouth opened, closed, then opened again, but no words came out. Glancing up, she met Sean’s loving gaze.

“Surprised?” he asked.

“Very.”

A few stunned seconds later, she realized Sean still hadn’t noticed the ring in his own dessert.

She cleared her throat and pointed to his plate. “Your turn.”

He looked down. “Wow.” Tossing his head back, he chuckled. “We’ve done it again, haven’t we?”

“Great minds . . .” She smiled so hard her cheeks ached. “How should we do this?”

He shrugged sheepishly. “On the count of three?”

Now it was her turn to laugh. “Sure. Why not?”

He got out of his chair. Kneeling before her, he took her hand. “One, two, three.”

They drew a breath.

“Will you marry me?” they asked in unison, then quickly answered, “Yes!”