Tara scanned Nettie’s polka-dot dress and broad-brimmed hat, then smiled. “I think you look perfect for partying, and we’d love to have you.”
Kathy glided by wearing her ridiculous and endearing medieval gown with the matching high, cone-shaped hat. “Do stay. I’m Kathy, and I just heard on the news what Greg did. I have to say I’m absolutely delighted, proud, and not one bit surprised.” She let her gaze rest on Tara, but she spoke to Nettie. “Things started changing around here the first weekend of January, and they’ve just gotten better every week. Come with me, Nettie. We can hang your coat back here.”
Kathy guided Nettie to the coatrack they’d tucked at the back of the media room, an area staged to showcase the bridal store’s ideas. Soon this would be a prom room, but for tonight, Truly had put together rolling media presentations on Donna’s big-screen TV to show aspiring business partners the potential of linking to the newly renovated and renamed Elena’s Weddings and Bridal, Inc.
Tara watched Kathy take Nettie under her wing while she tried to digest this new information about Greg, but the arrival of the first guests took precedence. Smiling bridal servers emerged to take coats and offer refreshments to the local business partners.
Compliments flowed. Conversation buzzed. And about thirty minutes in, Tara turned and spotted Greg, talking with a tall man in an expensive gray suit.
Her heart fluttered, then sank.
He’d made it. He’d come back in time for the gala. And there he was, talking to another suit without even saying hello to her.
As I recall, you’ve given him the cold shoulder lately. Kind of rude, cupcake.
Quick happiness turned into quicker self-recrimination. She turned when the wedding planner from a line of distinctive hotels asked about the newness of their program and projected success ratios.
“While the specifics of this wedding program are new . . .”
Tara’s heart went into overdrive as Greg answered the question from directly behind her. And when he put a firm hand on her waist?
Total heart-spin.
“Elena’s Bridal is steeped in a history of tradition and service. That was my mother’s goal from the beginning, and now?” He took a step forward, smiled down at Tara, and reached out to shake the hotel executive’s hand. “It’s ours.” He gave Tara and the scattered staff a look of approval. “I’m Greg Elizondo, the owner of Elena’s Weddings and Bridal.”
“Good to meet you.” Several other industry professionals stepped up to meet Greg.
Tara tried to slip away.
His hand on her waist said he wasn’t letting go.
She kept her smile in place and tried to wriggle free once more.
Nope.
Finally Greg held up a hand for Kathy’s attention. She raised an eyebrow. “Kathy, can we pause the music for just a moment?”
“Of course.” She moved to the front desk and hit a switch.
An expectant quiet descended over the crowded bridal room.
Greg grabbed Tara’s hand and moved to one of the short, wide bridal stools in front of a triple mirror, designed to show the bride all aspects of her gown. “Ladies and gentlemen, forgive the interruption. I’ve just returned from New York. I arrived late, and I’m hoping to meet with every one of you this evening. But it seems I have some pressing business at hand, so if you’d indulge me a moment.” He went down on one knee and gazed up at Tara.
Heat flooded her cheeks.
Emotions roiled within her. And seeing Greg like this, ready to declare his love in front of all these people when he should have been courting their business and not her heart . . .
It made Tara realize she would love him no matter where he lived.
“Tara, this isn’t exactly how I envisioned this, but given the last two months, it’s most likely what we should get used to.”
The truth of that made her smile.
“Will you marry me, Tara Simonetti? Will you run my mother’s store with Kathy and the gang and live with me and grow old with me? And if God sends us a few cute kids, I’d be the happiest man on earth.”
Marry him.
Run Elena’s.
Babies.
The heat in her cheeks grew, but the warmth in her heart overflowed. “Yes, yes, and yes! But what about New York?” she whispered as he stood and withdrew a stunning marquise diamond from a velvet box.
“We’ll visit there,” he promised, smiling. “But this is home. And if I have my way, it always will be.” He slipped the diamond onto her finger, gave her one last lingering kiss, then smiled. “And with all of these nice people counting on our new corporate enterprise”—he turned and gave the gathered professionals watching a wave of acknowledgment—“can I talk you into a quick wedding? Because while wedding planning is our business, I’m hoping we won’t have a whole lot of time to plan our own.”
Tara laughed, hugged him, and nodded. “We’ll talk later.” She smiled up at him, then down at her ring. “Right now we’ve got work to do.”