terrace. We step outside, and I sigh at the view of downtown Manhattan glimmering in the night. Maybe it’s because I’ve been out of state too long, but the city looks prettier on this night than any other.
I walk up to the stone railing and look out onto the harbor. The moon is waning in the night sky, and the stars are out, shining beside it.
Jesse places a hand on my waist as he stands beside me. I turn to him and smile.
“Amelia,” he says as he places a hand in his pocket and pulls out a small box.
My smile disappears, replaced by shock. My hands fly to my mouth as I inhale sharply.
He lets out a laugh. “You can’t get like that yet. I haven’t even said anything.”
I nod as I try to control myself. “You’re right. It’s just … you took a box out of your pocket and … you know.”
He opens the box, which showcases a stunning round diamond on a platinum band. “I know.”
Jesse lowers down to his knee and holds the box out in the air. “Once upon a time, I asked you to trust me, and you did. You followed me through the darkest tunnels and crawled into the depths of the city without a prayer. I vowed that night to always protect you because it was in that moment that I fell in love with you. You’re courageous, kind, smart, beautiful, and brave, and I’m still trying to figure out how I became lucky enough to have you as my own. You value honor and family above all else. I love you, Amelia. Will you marry me and not only call me yours, but also make me your family?”
I nod like a madwoman and exclaim, “Yes!”
Jesse stands and slides the ring onto my shaking hand, pulling me in for a kiss that marks the first day of the rest of our lives—not just as an us, but also as a family.
I wrap my arms around him and kiss him, forgetting we’re at a restaurant and not home, where we could have all the indecent kisses we wanted.
He places his forehead against mine and smiles. “You have no idea how happy I am.”
“I have a feeling.” I grin and kiss him again until I realize my family is inside and we’re going to have to announce our engagement. “Oh, no. Wait. You have to ask my father for permission. I know it’s antiquated and ridiculous, but for the sake of sanity and argument, you’re going to have to—”
“I already asked, and he gave his blessing.”
“You asked him? When?” I stare at him, dumbfounded.
“Remember that work trip I took? I lied. I went to see your father to ask for your hand in marriage.”
The thought of Jesse going to a federal prison to meet with my father on his own warms my heart. “You’re too good of a man, Jesse Davenport.”
He agrees. “That’s probably why he said yes on the spot. All he asked was that I wait until he was home. He wants to celebrate this with us.” He lifts my ring-clad hand and kisses my knuckle.
I smile in disbelief at how surreal my life has become. “Who would have thought that the undercover agent posing as a bartender, trying to infiltrate a mob family, would fall for the daughter of the man he was trying to take down?”
“You make it sound so romantic.”
I rise on my toes and kiss him again. “Because it is. Our story. You and me. Just us.”
“Us.” He kisses me back. “The way it should be. Always.”
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Also by Jeannine Colette
Abandon Collection
Pure Abandon
Reckless Abandon
Wild Abandon
True Abandon
Sinful Abandon
Wild Abandon Box Set
Standalones
A Really Bad Idea
Just Ten Seconds
Layover Lover
Wrecked
Sexton Brothers Series
Austin
Bryce
Tanner
Sexton Brothers Boxset
Falling for the Stars Series
Naughty Neighbor
About the Author
Jeannine Colette
Jeannine Colette is the author of the Abandon Collection – a series of stand-alone novels featuring dynamic heroines who have to abandon their reality in order to discover themselves . . . and love along the way. Each book features a new couple, exciting new city and a rose of a different color.
A graduate of Wagner College and the New York Film Academy, Jeannine went on to become a Segment Producer for television shows on CBS and NBC. She left the television industry to focus on her children and pursue a full-time writing career. She lives in New York with her husband, the three tiny people she adores more than life itself, and a rescue pup named Wrigley.
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