“I’m so proud of you, Stephanie. I love you very much, you know.”
“I know, Mom. I love you, too.”
Steph watched as Mehdi and Jerry made their way in from the water. Mehdi looked happy and relaxed, while Jerry’s expression was unreadable. But Steph thought nothing of it as they rejoined the group and spent the rest of the afternoon chatting, laughing, and enjoying the stunning waters.
As the sun began to set, Mehdi pulled Steph aside.
“Could I speak with you for a moment?” he asked.
Steph nodded, following him as he took her hand and led her a short distance from the cabana.
“I was speaking with your father earlier,” Mehdi said, and Steph nodded.
“Yes, I saw. I’m so glad you got to spend some time together. Did you have an interesting conversation?”
Mehdi nodded, and Steph noticed that his hand had gone a little clammy in hers, which was strange, because Mehdi’s hands were never like that. Was he nervous or something?
“I did, actually. It was a very important conversation to have.”
Steph looked up at him, noticing the tiny, almost imperceptible beads of sweat on his upper brow. She was about to ask him what was wrong when Mehdi stopped walking and bent down on one knee, producing a small jewelry box from his pocket.
“I asked him if I could have his permission to marry you, and I am happy to say that he gave his blessing. Now that I have it, Steph, I can ask you if you would be willing to make me the happiest man on earth by becoming my wife.”
Steph looked from the glittering ring to Mehdi and back again before her eyes landed on his and she beamed.
“Of course I’ll marry you!” she said, laughing even as she cried.
His face broke out in a beatific smile as he stood and hugged her tight, kissing her silly before he placed the ring on her finger.
Steph looked out at the sunset and laughed, brushing more joyful tears from her cheeks. “How many sunset beaches have we met on now?”
Mehdi kissed her again, letting his hand linger at the base of her neck as he stared adoringly into her eyes. “I think we deserve a whole lifetime of them. Don’t you agree?”
Steph stared up adoringly into her fiancé’s eyes, knowing in a moment they could turn around and celebrate with her parents. It couldn’t have been a more perfect proposal.
“I do,” she said.
And with that, they turned back to see Steph’s parents smiling behind them, and the happy family came together to celebrate the non-arranged marriage of their only daughter.
The End
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And now, as promised, are the first few chapters of my previous novel, Single Mom And The Sheikh. Enjoy!
ONE
Sam was already half asleep by the time I asked which bedtime story he wanted me to read. He didn’t want to fall asleep. I could tell because his little eyelids drooped, their long lashes brushing against his cheeks, but he steadfastly refused to acknowledge the fact that he wouldn’t be able to stay awake for the whole story.
“Tell me about the adventure you’re going on, Mommy.” His delicate hand clasped mine. “Are there going to be dragons?”
I chuckled. “No, Sammy. No dragons.”
“What about wild animals?” He blinked wearily. “Like lions, or bears?”
The thought of leaving him tugged at my heart. I didn’t want to go. He thought I was going on some sort of crazy adventure, but really I would just be drinking out of an inappropriate straw with a few girls from college—all the while wishing I was at home with this little guy.
“I don’t think I’ll see any lions or bears,” I said, “but who knows? It’s a pretty crazy place. It’s out in the middle of the desert, where almost nothing can grow.”
“Why does Auntie Sarah want to go there?” Sam asked. “It doesn’t sound very fun.”
I reached forward and brushed a stray blond curl off his forehead. I hoped his hair would darken as he got older; the contrast of my raven hair to Sam’s golden locks always reminded me of his absent father.