Taste of Love (25 page)

The night went very well. Austin and Abby got along, and though the new hire had been there for two weeks, he was still able to teach her a few things. And though Madison had thought Austin might be resentful towards Abby, she could see he was pleased to have her there to share the load.

After closing up, Madison, Austin, and Abby were leaving the building. Abby opened the door first and was surprised to see Cameron standing close by, waiting for them to come out.

"Excuse me," he said. "I would like a table for two."

Abby smiled and let him in. "Hey Madison," she yelled back, "This man wants a table for two."

"We're closed," she yelled, before walking around the partition.

"Think you could make an exception?" Cameron grinned.

She watched the others walk out the doors and locked up behind them. "I think I can squeeze you in. We only have a table near the fireplace though."

"The really romantic one?"

"I didn't figure you would mind!"

Madison led Cameron to the dining room and sat at one of the first tables. He placed a bag upon the table, and started lifting out containers of food. "I know this won't be as nice as the food here, but it should work."

Madison was impressed. Not only did he have food, but he had brought nice plates and silverware too. He lit the candles on the table, creating an amazingly romantic atmosphere in the dark restaurant.

"What is all this for?" she asked, obviously pleased.

"I can't do something nice for the lady in my life?"

She smiled and dug into her food. After she was done, he took her plate and gave her a piece of caramel apple cheesecake, one of her favorites. Her mouth watered just looking at it. Finally finished with the meal, Cameron cleared the table of all dishes, putting them back in the bag, then reached over and took Madison's hands.

"You know, we've been through a lot in the time we've known each other, and I feel it has brought us so close. We've been through both good and bad, and what remains is the fact that we can get through anything together."

Cameron took a deep breath. He hadn't prepared a speech for this...but he knew what was in his heart, and it was time to pour it out. "Madison, I love you so much, with all my heart and soul." Madison was struck speechless. She stared at him as tears welled up in her eyes.

Finally she whispered, "I love you too. I think I have for some time now."

"Then that makes this so much easier on me," he teased.

He moved around to her side of the table. He got down on one knee as he looked up into her eyes. Madison's mouth fell open and she drew back instinctively, shocked at what was about to come.

"Cameron?"

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small square box. Madison gasped in shock.

"With all that said, I know we haven't known each other long, but I do know that we were meant to be," he said. "Madison Drew, will you marry me?"

Her world seemed to stop turning. She stared at him with wide eyes.

"I realize this is sudden, but we can wait as long as you want to get married," he reassured her. "As long as you say yes, I will wait until you are ready."

He gazed at her with so much hope in his eyes, tears sparkling there, though not spilling over. He opened the box and held it up to her.

She stared at the exquisite diamond ring. She hadn't expected this to happen - never in her wildest dreams did her thoughts to there. But now that the possibility was in front of her, she knew that she had only one answer to give.

She didn't need to think before she fell into his arms. "Yes! Yes, I will marry you. Yes! Today or tomorrow or next month, I don't care. But yes, I will marry you!"

The tears finally spilled over. He picked her up in a hug and swung her around, kissing her until they were both dizzy. When he set her down, he slid the ring onto her finger, making it official. The diamonds glittered in the candlelight.

"You are everything to me, the soon-to-be Madison Rome," he said, and the name sent shivers through her.

"I love you, Mr. Rome," she said, and kissed him, knowing that neither of them would ever hunger for love again.