Nate threaded his fingers through hers. He must have sensed her nerves, but also her coiled desire to nab the prize. “It’s up next,” he whispered, and she squeezed his fingers.

“Ouch,” he said playfully as if she’d hurt him. She squeezed harder in response, and he planted a quick kiss on her cheek.

“And for the next item this evening we have the newest Miller Valentina,” the auctioneer said as his assistants escorted the painting to the front of the room. Casey nearly groaned with lust for the painting. She wanted that beauty badly. “I shall start the bidding at—”

Then he stopped, brought his finger to his lips, and gazed at the ceiling. “Wait. That’s not quite right.”

Casey furrowed her brow. Auctioneers were always poised. This guy sounded as if he’d been thrown off his game.

“No. That’s the wrong item. Take it back,” he shouted, shooing away the painting dramatically. His assistants obeyed. Casey’s jaw dropped and she turned to Nate. “What was that all about?”

He simply shrugged and held up his hands.

“Now bring out the correct item,” the man said, and a few seconds later, one of the assistants returned with a small maroon box.

Casey pointed and whispered. “Now that’s definitely not on the catalogue tonight.”

The auctioneer flipped open the box, and it was almost like being blinded. The stone was so bright.

“Our next item is a vintage halo ring, set in a handcrafted platinum band with an inlay of diamonds, and this gorgeous 2.5 carat stone. I start the bidding at—”

Nate raised his paddle. “—I’ll take it.”

The auctioneer pointed at him. “Sold! To the gentleman in the front row.”

Then it hit her. It had happened so quickly, and she hadn’t been expecting it at all, but her heart was beating out a wild rhythm in her chest as Nate clasped the box, dropped down to one knee, and took her hand in his. “Casey, I was crazy about you long before I even kissed you, and that’s because you have the kindest, most caring heart I have ever known. I still can’t believe you’re really mine, but somehow the dream isn’t ending, and every moment with you is more wonderful than the last. You make me laugh, you make me happy, you make me want to be better every day for you. You’ve been my best friend, my lover, and now I hope you will continue on this journey with me as my wife,” he said, holding open the box, as her lower lip quivered and her heart danced. “Will you marry me?”

“Yes,” she said as tears streamed down her cheeks, a wholly necessary side effect from this cocktail of bliss and pure happiness she was having right now. She held out her hand, and he slid the ring on her finger. She held it up, stunned by its beauty. Then she locked eyes with him—with this man she’d never expected to become her partner for life.