“I brought you something besides lilacs that day.” He reached into his pocket and drew out the box. Her hand went limp in his. He watched her lips tremble apart. “I don’t think it’s ostentatious.” When she only continued to stare, he shifted. “That was a joke.”

“Okay.” The two syllables came out in a whisper. “Are you—are you going to let me see it?”

For an answer, he opened the box himself. Inside was a gold band set with a rainbow of gems. He knew what they were only because he’d asked the jeweler to identify each of them. The amethyst, the peridot, the blue topaz, the citrine.

“I know it’s not traditional,” he said when she remained silent. “But it reminded me of you, and I wanted—hell, I wanted something no one else would have thought to give you.”

“No one has,” she managed, barely breathing. “No one would.”

“If you don’t like it, we can look for something else.”

She was afraid she would cry again and knew it would do neither of them any good. “It’s lovely. Beautiful.” She managed to tear her gaze from it. “You bought me this before? You had it with you the other night? You were going to give it to me, then you walked in and saw me with Charlie.” Laughing, she lifted a hand to her cheek. “I’m surprised you didn’t gun us both down. I couldn’t have written it better myself.”

“Then you forgive me?”

She already had, but since he was looking so nervous, she nodded. “Anyone with such good taste deserves a second chance.”

“I bought this days ago, but it took me a while to work up the nerve. Facing a junkie with an Uzi seemed easier.” But he was into it now, and he was going to finish. “My idea was to pressure you to accept it, then push for a quick wedding so you wouldn’t change your mind. But that was wrong.” He closed the box, and was encouraged by Bess’s quick gasp of dismay. “It was stupid, and it showed a lack of faith in both of us. I’m sorry.”

“I— You—” She let out a frustrated breath. “I don’t mind.”

“Of course you do,” he said. “It was calculating, even devious, when a proposal of marriage should be romantic. So, when we’re both ready, I’ll ask you properly.”

Her face fell. “When we’re both ready?”

“I don’t want to push you when you might be feeling a little vulnerable. Especially since a long engagement is out. So I’ll give you time.”

“Time,” she echoed, ready to scream.

“It’s fair.” He waited a beat. “Okay, I’m ready.”

Before she could laugh, he was down on one knee. “What are you doing?”

“A proper proposal of marriage.” He nearly launched into his humble little speech. Instead, his eyes darkened when she continued to laugh. “You don’t want one.”

“Damn right I want one. But I want you up here.” She took his hand to tug him back to the couch so that they were at eye level with each other. “I want you to look me right in the eye.”