Ruby turned to Yvonne, her eyes widening. “You bought this?”

“Consider it an anniversary present.”

“But where did you find the money? Did you get the rest of your inheritance already?”

Yvonne nodded. “It came through this morning. The first thing I did with it was finalize the purchase of this house.”

“I thought you had plans for the money. I thought you wanted to invest what was left after you helped Nita.”

“I am investing it. I’m investing it in us. I also put some of the money aside for when you finish culinary school. It’s more than enough for you to start your own bakery.”

“My own bakery?”

“That’s what you want, isn’t it?”

“Yes, but I wasn’t serious.” Ruby had only started culinary school months ago, having retired from escorting the minute she and Yvonne had made their relationship official. She hadn’t even thought about what she wanted to do once she finished. That was too far in the future. “I can’t run a bakery. I wouldn’t even know how.”

“I can help you. I know a thing or two about running a business.”

Ruby shook her head. “I couldn’t ask you to do that.”

“You wouldn’t be asking. I’m offering. Like I said, I’m investing in us, in our future together.” Yvonne took Ruby’s hands in hers. “Speaking of the future, our year is up. We’re free of our arrangement. Free of all obligations.”

“Yvonne, you couldn’t possibly think-”

Yvonne held up her hand. “I don’t think you’re going to run off on me. But staying together is one thing. Remaining married is another. Marriage is a big commitment, and we’ve only known each other for a year. If you want us to start over without something that big hanging over us, we can do that. We can stay together, as a couple, and one day get married for real.”

Ruby shook her head. “We are married for real, Yvonne. And I want us to stay that way. I want to continue to be your wife.”

Yvonne smiled. “I’m glad you said that. I want to be your wife too. And I’ve been thinking about it. The circumstances of our marriage meant we never got to have a real wedding, that dream wedding you always wanted. It’s about time we fixed that, don’t you think?”

Ruby frowned. “You’re not asking me to marry you, are you?”

“I suppose I am.” Yvonne took Ruby’s left hand and carefully pulled the wedding band from Ruby’s finger. “You’ll have to forgive me for not getting down on one knee, but we’ve never cared for doing things the conventional way, have we?”

Ruby’s heart skipped a beat. Yvonne was really doing this.

“Ruth Scott.” Yvonne held the ring up between them. “My Ruby. Will you marry me?”

Ruby smiled. “Yes, Yvonne. The answer is yes.”

Yvonne took Ruby’s hand and slid the ring back onto Ruby’s finger, then drew her into a deep, endless kiss.

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