Splendor (Inevitable #2) (68 page)

Authors: Janet Nissenson

“Hmm.” She wrinkled her nose and shook her head. “September twenty-something. I’m afraid I’ve lost track of time very quickly over here.”

“Well, I know exactly what day it is. It’s the twenty-third of September. And, to be more specific, it was three years ago today that you walked into my office and into my heart.”

Tessa stared at him in surprise. “Really? I mean, I knew it was this week sometime but I didn’t remember the exact date. But of course you’d remember. I’ve never seen anyone as amazing with details as you are.”

Ian shook his head. “Not with employee dates of hire. For example, I couldn’t even tell you what
month
of the year it was when Andrew started working for me, much less the exact date. But with you – it was still fairly early in the morning, I think just after nine a.m. I even remember what you were wearing – a little red dress with a black belt. You were easily the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen and I fell head over heels the first time I heard your voice.”

She gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “And I never guessed, never ever imagined that you even noticed me from day to day. I felt like a teenage girl with this huge crush on her favorite movie start. I never imagined we would someday be together like this.”

“Sometimes fate can be cruel to us, Tessa. You’ve certainly had more than your fair share of that, after all. But then at other times fate chooses to smile fondly on us, like it’s doing right now. And I hope it will continue to do so for many, many years to come.”

They each sipped at their wine and gazed out at the landscape, now bathed in the soft glow of twilight. Ian drew Tessa to her feet, wrapping an arm around her waist as they stood against the balcony of the terrace.

“There’s another occasion to commemorate today,” he said quietly. “At least, I’m hoping there will be.”

“What’s that?” she inquired teasingly. “I already know it’s not the anniversary of our first kiss.
That
date I do remember very well.”

Ian smiled. “As do I, my love. No, this is something new to commemorate. Hopefully to celebrate.”

As she watched wide-eyed, he dropped down to one knee, keeping her hand clasped in his. Tears were pooling in her eyes before he could even open his mouth to speak.

“Tessa. My darling girl. Will you take pity on this very old man you see before you and grant him the greatest honor he could possibly imagine – that of becoming his wife?”

The tears fell freely as she nodded, too choked up with emotion to do more than whisper, “Oh, yes.” And then, as he slipped a beautiful ring with a fabulous blue stone onto her engagement finger, she burst out, “And you are
not
old!”

He laughed and stood up, wrapping his arms around her waist and lifting her feet off the ground. “I think you’re my very own personal fountain of youth, darling. And you have just made me the happiest man of any age in the entire world. Now, tell me, do you like your ring? I had it designed especially for you.”

Tessa gazed down at the round blue stone surrounded by dozens of smaller round diamonds. The slender platinum band was also encrusted with pave diamonds. “It’s gorgeous, Ian. I love it. And I’m glad you chose a sapphire since they’re my favorite.”

“Ah, but it’s not a sapphire, love – it’s a blue diamond,” he corrected. “Very rare and very precious. Just like yourself.” He gave her a sweet, soft kiss. “It reminded me of your eyes. And also of that dress you wore the night of the Christmas party. The night when I finally had real hope that a moment very much like this one might actually happen.”

She pulled his head down to hers for a much longer, much deeper kiss. “I love you,” she breathed. “And I am so honored, so proud, that you’re going to be my husband. You’re the most wonderful man in the whole world, and I will do everything in my power to make you happy every single day of our lives together.”

Ian hugged her tightly. “And I love you, my darling bride-to-be. Speaking of which, do you recall when I told you during Julia and Nathan’s wedding that I had a very special place picked out for our own special day?”

She nodded, smiling. “It’s here, isn’t it? That’s why you were so mysterious. You wanted me to see the villa first. And yes, I love it here. I would love having our wedding here in Tuscany.”

He chuckled. “We might have a bit of a problem hosting so many guests here, though. And as beautiful as this place is, how much I’ve always enjoyed coming here, this isn’t exactly what I had in mind. Though it is very similar. Remember when we first drove up through the gates two days ago and you told me this place reminded you of somewhere?”

Tessa nodded. “Of course.”

“Well, I gave a great many photographs of this villa to Nathan and told him this was the feeling I wanted to capture when he came up with the designs for our new hotel in Napa. And while there are a number of differences, the entire resort is being built to resemble a Tuscan villa. And that, my love, is where I hope to make you my bride.”

She gasped in delight. “Oh, what a wonderful idea! I love it, absolutely love it! I know exactly what you mean now – why this villa looked so familiar. I was remembering all the drawings I’d seen of the new hotel. So we would hold our wedding there on the grounds?”

“Yes, that’s what I was hoping. Right now we’re scheduled to hold the grand opening the second week of June. My plan,” he added with a wide smile, “was to marry about a week before that time, so that ours would be the first wedding ever held in the place. And so that we would also be the very first guests to stay there as well.”

“That’s what you meant by another first. And I couldn’t think of a more perfect time or place to get married. Yes, absolutely. As usual, you think of everything.”

Tenderly, he brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. “One more thing I just thought of. Do you realize what other day this is, darling?”

Tessa arched a bow. “No, I can’t honestly say that I do. What day is it today?”

Ian’s eyes twinkled merrily. “It’s a Wednesday.”

THE END

Books by Janet Nissenson

Serendipity
– Julia and Nathan’s story – published December 2013

Splendor
– Tessa and Ian’s story – published June 2014

COMING SOON

All You Need Is Love
– A Serendipity wedding novella

Shattered
– Angela and Nick’s story

Sensational
– Lauren and Ben’s story

Serenity –
Sasha and Matthew’s story