There was a round of applause, and Kaavi beamed.

“Of course, it wouldn’t be fair for me to accept this award without acknowledging the hard work and dedication by key members of my team. First and foremost, my parents, without whose love and support none of this would be possible. Thaththa, you had laid all the groundwork for me through hours of hard work and sacrifice, for which I am eternally grateful.

“Next, to Lakshi, Priya, Danushka, and the rest of my team. We joke that we are each other’s work wives, and I don’t know what I would do without you. Nothing in my life has been more satisfying than empowering a group of strong, dynamic women who teach me something new every day.

“And finally, to the man who helped me take Pink Sapphires to the next level. Who introduced me to partner companies abroad, who went to bat for me when it felt like I was losing, who helped me take my little charity truly global. The study-abroad program was his brainchild, and wouldn’t exist today without his support. He has been a friend, confidant, and most importantly, an ally. Ladies and gentlemen, I know this is a Woman of the Year award, but I’d like Matthew Spencer to join me onstage. Pink Sapphires could never have scaled up the way it did without him.”

The camera panned out to show Spencer rise slowly to his feet. Slightly red in the face, he made his way over to the stage. Kaavi started applauding and encouraged the audience to clap too. Spencer blushed but smiled at her. She handed the award to him and shook his hand—no hugging a man onstage; that wouldn’t be proper.

Her smile faltered a little as Spencer took the microphone off its stand and held it to his mouth. Clearly, he was only supposed to accept the award, not make a speech. This was her moment, after all, not his.

The camera adjusted so that both of them were in the frame.

“Thank you for your kind words, Kaavi. I’ve always said you were too good, and you’ve proved, yet again, how selfless you are. It’s true that I’ve supported, and will continue to support, Pink Sapphires. Nothing makes me happier than seeing the smiles on those little girls’ faces. But I have something equally as important to ask you today.”

I felt the remnants of the cocktail party rise up in my throat.

The audience gasped as Spencer took a step backward, and then got down on one knee.

“Kaavindi Fonseka, you give so much of yourself to others. Will you please make me the happiest man on the planet by allowing me to give myself to you?”

Kaavi was frozen. Her hands went up to her face in shock.

“Kaavi, will you marry me?” he reiterated. As if the ring and him being down on one knee wasn’t clear enough.

Kaavi remained stone-still—eyes wide, hands covering most of her face.

Spencer turned toward the audience and flashed them a wide smile.