NORA
Theo,Charlotte, and I were quiet on the elevator ride up after dinner. Dinner at the restaurant on the beach had been simple and perfect, and by the time we reached our floor, I was ready to get into my comfiest pajamas and pass out.
“Before we go to bed,” Theo said, turning to face me after tugging the door shut and locking it, “I have a little surprise.”
“A surprise?” I repeated, my eyebrows lifting as Charlotte snapped to attention so fast it was like someone had hit a switch.
“Yes.” Theo’s eyes met mine, the corners of his mouth twitching like he was fighting a smile. “A quick one.” And then he looked at Charlotte next, giving her a wink.
That must have been her cue because she immediately planted her hands on her hips and, in the most dramatic voice she could manage, said, “Hmmm. I wonder what it is,” before flicking a sly look up at her dad that told me she was absolutely in on the secret and extremely proud of it.
Which, of course, made my heart swell because seeingCharlotte and Theo being thick as thieves was pretty much the cutest thing ever.
Theo’s gaze met mine for half a second, and after giving me a meaningful look, he held out his hand for me to take. Then nodding toward the balcony, he said, “Come on.”
So taking his hand, I let him pull me out onto the balcony, Charlotte skipping beside us even though she’d been half asleep on the elevator a minute ago.
And when we stepped outside, I stopped short.
Because while the ocean was still out there, dark and endless, the waves a soft hush below us, the rest of the space had been transformed while we were at dinner.
Electric candles were scattered everywhere, their flickering light casting everything in a warm glow. And right in the center of the table sat a huge bouquet of flowers with a note tucked into it.
I looked down at Charlotte. “Do you think my secret admirer found out I was coming here?” I asked, playing into the moment.
“Yes,” she exclaimed, practically giggling.
Then Theo stepped up to the table, and from behind the large bouquet, he pulled out a mini bouquet that was basically a miniature version of mine.
I gasped at the same time as Charlotte before saying, “Oh my, I wonder who that could be for?”
And her face lit up so fast it was like she’d just spotted treasure.
“I hope it’s for me,” she said, bouncing on her toes as Theo set it beside the big bouquet.
Theo chuckled. “I guess we’ll have to find out. But first,” he said, his hand sliding to my lower back. “I think I should talk to you about something. About how I’ve been feeling.”
“Oh?” I asked, pretending like I didn’t know what he was probably going to do.
“So,” he said, voice calm, “I talked to Charlotte earlier. And I told her the little secret I’ve been keeping. About being your secret admirer.”
I blinked.
But before I could even say anything, Charlotte grabbed my hand, squeezed it, and said, “See? I told you it was my daddy!”
I laughed, my chest going warm in that melty way that made me want to scoop her up and hug her.
“You were such a good detective,” I told her, squeezing her little hand back.
“I know.” Charlotte shrugged, like she’d cracked the case easily and deserved a trophy.
But before she could brag too much, Theo stepped closer, the candlelight catching the edges of his face as he said, “So… now that the secret’s out…” His eyes met mine, the warmth in them making my heart thump hard. “I was wondering if you’d want to make things official.”
And even though I’d known this might happen on this trip, it didn’t make me swoon any less.
Because this was really happening!
After wishing for so long that this amazing man might actually see me as someone worth investing his time and attention in, I was standing here on a balcony in Maui while he looked at me like I was the best part of his life.