Page 156 of Bridesmaid By Chance
“No to the proposal or no to someone else? Because imagine how cute we would be with engagement photos in front of such a landmark.”
“Sloane, I’m losing my patience.”
“I can see that.” She lets out a deep breath. “Okay, so maybe this wasn’t the right location. I can see how this is a tourist trap for theft. Maybe we go more intimate.”
“We did intimate. No one was there.”
“No, I have a good idea. I promise. We are getting something free this time, and no phones will be stolen. Follow me.”
“Sloane, we’re done,” I say in a stern voice, causing her to snap out of her proposal extravaganza.
She nods and lets out a heavy sigh as she leans against the bridge wall behind her. “You’re right, I’m sorry. Ugh, why did that lady have to ruin everything?” She helps me to my feet and dusts off my pants. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
“Okay.” Smiling up at me, she says, “What do you want to do?”
I stare into those eyes of hers, the ones that captured me from day one, and I feel this overwhelming sense of needing to please her. Needing to make her happy. I honestly don’t care what I want. I want what she wants.
“We can go to a museum. Is that something you might like to do?”
“I like museums,” I say as I wrap my arm around her shoulders and pull her into a hug. Her arms wrap around my waist and immediately I feel comfort.
I don’t know how she does it, how she is able to make me feel like nothing can happen to me when I’m in her arms, but fuck, that’s exactly what it feels like.
I’ve never had that feeling of protection before, like someone is my shield, but Sloane gives me a piece of that well-being.
“Then let’s do a museum.”
“Okay,” I answer, “but first…tea.”
“How does this look to you?” I ask, staring up at the green awning of a café and tea shop just outside the Royal Mews.
“Looks darling.”
“Perfect.” I open the door for her and then walk in behind. The shop is quaint with uneven hardwood floors, white cottage shelving, and mismatched tables and chairs. Gold-framed art is on every inch of the wall, while fake flowers fill in the holes as decorations. It’s charming,something you would find in a town in the English countryside, not a bustling city like London.
“Dear God, this is adorable,” she says while turning toward me. “This was such a good find.”
“Grab a seat wherever you want,” the shop owner says.
“I’m going to run to the bathroom.” Sloane kisses my chin. “I don’t care where you pick.”
“Sounds good,” I say, and she takes off toward the back of the shop.
Out of sight, I turn toward the owner and say, “Could I have a word for a moment?”
“Of course. How may I help you?”
“Did you see that woman I was with who just took off to the bathroom?” The shop owner nods her head. “That’s my wife. She has had me on a wild-goose chase all day, asking me to propose to her to see if we can—and I say this in a begrudging way—get something for free. Now, I’m not looking for anything free from you. She thinks that I’m irritated and over the whole thing, but now that we’re here, I think it would be great to surprise her again. I know this is a really weird request, but if you will pretend to not only take pictures when I propose, but also pretend to give us something for free, I will pay you very well at the end of this.”
She chuckles and nods. “Never had a request like that, but yes, I can accommodate. How much are you talking?”
“Name your price.”
The shop owner smiles, and I know I’m about to be taken advantage of, but at this point, anything to earn me that smile from Sloane.
Chapter Twenty-Three
