Relief passed through his gaze as if he’d been worried the plain librarian who’d grown up in the trailer park would turn down the hot, rich oil exec who’d grown up ranching, making him impossibly more attractive. “It might be too soon, but I love you, Kate.”

My small gasp was lost in the noise of the city. “Aiden.” He loved me? Me?

Did I love him?

I’d been infatuated with him for half my life. Most of it had been a schoolgirl crush, even as I’d stepped foot into the King Oil headquarters the night of the tour. What would I call it now?

I thought of him all day, every day. I lived for the moment I’d see him again. He was considerate, had good values, and loved his family. I hadn’t met his brothers, and I’d only seen his dad during the tour, but Aiden talked about them. His love and dedication to them were obvious in the warmth of his voice and the way his usually intense stare would relax. He showed me glimpses of humor, love, and respect.

Who was I kidding? I’d been in love with him since he’d asked me out. Since he’d picked me out of the crowd of my coworkers and remembered me a decade after the last time he’d seen me.

“I love you too. You’re everything I ever wanted. I grew up hearing how awful it was for Mom, with my dad and how he’d lied—” Aiden’s expression flickered and a small furrow bisected his brows. Oh, crap. I was rambling and talking about my parents’ failed marriage as soon as I admitted that I loved him. Way to pull the plug on the romance, Katie. “I’m sorry. The only thing that has to do with us is that I know what I want out of a relationship, and it’s you.”

Tension drained out of his body and a smile spread across his face. I was grateful he had ahold of my hands. A full smile on his handsome, chiseled face was devastating. It was brighter than the three-story screen above us.

“I know what I want out of a relationship too, Kate. And it’s you.”

The movies didn’t show princesses swooning. To be fair, Snow White had been lying down. I had a second to collect myself before he reached into the breast pocket inside his suit jacket.

“Believe me when I say I’ve never been in love before, Kate. And I don’t want to wait to start my life with you.” He withdrew a ring with an obnoxiously large diamond. Light sparkled from its many facets as he kneeled in front of me. “Will you marry me, Kate McDonough?”

My hand flew to my mouth. Tears peppered the backs of my eyes.

This was a dream. A fantasy.