Chapter 14

The next three days passed uneventfully, and Keira was able to focus on finishing her book. On Thursday, she sent a copy to her editor for final review. Once any necessary revisions were made, it would be ready to go to the publisher. She knew that it wasn't her best work, but she’d resigned herself to the fact that she’d worked as hard as she could and at this point, there wasn't anything she could do about it. All she could do was hope for the best.

With the book finished, she decided to make up for lost time with Rob. She convinced herself that the doubts she'd been having were simply a by-product of the stress she was feeling over the book deadline. With that out of the way, she was determined to fix things between them.

Explaining about the flowers had been easier than she'd expected. Molly had taken them home, and Keira told Rob that they'd been sent to the wrong apartment. To someone named Kathryn, from someone named Jon. Satisfied by this explanation, he'd let the subject drop. They were both treading lightly around one another; neither one wanting to say or do anything that might upset the balance of their suddenly fragile relationship.

On Thursday night, Rob brought her to Café Napoli, a small Italian restaurant in Little Italy. Over plates of cheese tortellini with proscuitto and mushrooms and a bottle of White Zinfandel, they made small talk and enjoyed one another's company.

After dinner, they ordered coffee and tiramisu. Keira had just scooped up her first bite of dessert when suddenly she saw Rob reach into his coat pocket and pull out a small black velvet jewelry box. He set it down on the table and she froze with her fork halfway to her mouth. Oh God, no.

Rob saw the look of panic on her face and misunderstood it completely. "Oh, I'm sorry. Let me do this right." He picked the box back up, got out of his chair, and got down on one knee.

Keira noticed that the other diners were starting to take interest in them. Holy shit, I think they're getting ready to clap. She sat there and prayed for a big hole to open up in the floor and swallow her whole.

"Keira Marie Farrell..." Rob began, "The last two years have been the most amazing years of my life. You are my best friend. I love you, and I can't imagine my life without you in it. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

Keira could scarcely breathe. This was a moment that most women dream about their entire lives, and for a second she wanted nothing more than to believe that he was the one for her. It would be so easy if he were the one. The thought was fleeting, however, and she knew right then, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he was not the one. Her heart felt like it was breaking.

"Rob..." she whispered. She could see fear creeping into his eyes, and she was highly aware of the fact that everyone in the restaurant was watching them with bated breath. She fought the urge to stand up and run for the door.

Finally she reached a decision. I have to just do this, and deal with it later. With her eyes locked on Rob's, she very slowly nodded her head "yes", and the restaurant erupted in cheers and applause. Rob leapt to his feet and pulled her into his arms. "Oh, thank God," he said. "I love you so much. I promise I'll make you happy." He took a step back and removed the ring from the box, then reached for her left hand and slipped it onto her finger. "Look at that - it fits perfectly," he said proudly.

Keira glanced down at her trembling hand, which now bore a 1-carat princess cut diamond solitaire engagement ring in white gold. It looked like someone else's hand. What have I done?