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think I don’t realize how important your work is to you and the many people you help.”
    “I love that job and the people and knowing what I do makes a real difference.”
    “You don’t have to leave the job if you don’t want to, Lizzie. We can live in the city. I’m sure I’d find plenty to do there.”
    Elisabeth caressed his face as she realized the sacrifices he was willing to make so she’d be happy. “There’s a young woman who started working there about six months ago.”
    “Aimee?” He also paid attention, which she’d appreciated long before she drove him away with the shake of her head.  
    “Yes, that’s who I mean. She’s terrific. I think she’d do an amazing job as the director—maybe even a more amazing job than I can do after so many years. It takes a toll after a while, you know? No matter how many people you help, there’re always more. It’s a never-ending parade of people in desperate need.”
    “You opened my eyes to things I never paid any attention to before I knew you. That’s why I’d like to start a foundation, so you can continue to make a difference, no matter where we end up.”
    “I think,” she said tentatively, “I’d like to end up here, with you and your new friends and your new business and this beautiful house. And I’d like to be part of your new foundation.”
    “ Our new foundation. The Jared and Elisabeth James Foundation.”
    “I like that. I like it a lot.”
    He stared down at her, seeming to drink her in with his eyes. “You’re going to wake me up any second and tell me I’ve dreamed all this, right?”
    She started to shake her head but stopped herself, which made him laugh. “No. You’re not dreaming. I’m here, and I want what you want.”
    “Hold that thought.” He withdrew from her, got out of bed and walked across the room.
    Elisabeth propped herself up on one hand to take full advantage of the view of his very fine ass flexing as he moved to the dresser. Then he turned around, and the view got even better. She licked her lips, filled with delight that she had the whole rest of her life to look at him any time she wanted to.  
    “What’re you looking at?” he asked with a playful grin as he got back in bed.
    “My very sexy fiancé.”
    His face went totally blank, leading her to wonder what he was thinking. “Hearing you call me that… I just… It’s amazing and humbling. We never got to the ring portion of the program last time.” He reached for her left hand and slid a square-cut diamond ring onto her finger and then kissed the back of her hand. “Most people would say I have everything any man could ever want—more money than I can spend in a lifetime, three beautiful homes, cars that make me happy when I get to drive them. I can go anywhere I want, do anything I want, and I never again have to worry about money. But know this, Elisabeth with an S… None of that means a goddamned thing to me if I don’t have you. You are everything . The rest is just stuff.”
    Elisabeth’s heart pounded erratically as his words registered. “The ring is beautiful.” And it was… On either side of the stunning center stone were smaller diamonds in a platinum setting.  
    “I’m glad you like it. I showed restraint.”
    “Which I appreciate,” she said with a smile. “The ring is gorgeous, but your words… They’re the most beautiful words I’ve ever heard, and they mean more to me than anything else you could give me.” She leaned over to kiss him, lingering when he responded with unexpected ardor. “And you’re everything to me, too. I realized that when I watched you walk away from me that night, knowing I’d hurt you when that’s the last thing I’d ever want to do. I hope you know that.”
    “I do now.” He wrapped his arms around her and coaxed her into another kiss that made her head spin. “You know, it’s possible what happened on that rooftop will turn out to be the best thing that could’ve