Page 161 of To Tango, with Desire

His face turned serious.

“I brought you to where it all began. That night was the beginning of our relationship and I’ll never forget it. But I wanted to come back here because I feel like we started our journey in the middle. I know that I didn’t give you much of a choice when we first got married. But I want to offer that to you again. To choose.”

“I love you, Zane. Of course I want to be with you. I’ve forgiven you for how things began between us. We’ve moved on from that. We’ve grown.”

“We have. And because I’m not that same man, it’s important to me to do this. I love you, Amira. I love the way you bite your lip when you’re nervous. The way your eyes flash with impatience when I piss you off. I love the way you fight with me, not backing down when I’m being a jerk. The way you cry when you’re happy, like now.

“I love every part of you. Every curve, every scar, every little thing that makes you the woman I’m proud to call my wife. But I think it’s important that I ask and not demand. So, I have a question for you.”

Zane got down on bended knee. From his pocket, he pulled out a small box. Opening it, he revealed another wedding band, a twin to the one I currently wore.

“With this ring, I promise to take care of you. To listen to your needs, to love you unconditionally. I promise to try my damn hardest to make you happy. And to love you for all time. Will you be my wife? Will you agree to continue this vow of marriage?”

Giddy, heart-bursting, I nodded.

When he stood, I launched myself into his arms, hugging him tight. “Yes, Zane,” I replied. “I want to stay married to you. Forever.”

In his kiss was a promise. One that would never be broken. I felt it in every part of my body, deep down into my very soul.

Zane held me, tears shimmering in his eyes. I could read him so clearly now. I knew exactly how he felt because I felt it, too.

“You deserved a proper proposal. You deserve to be loved and cherished.”

“I have all of that because of you.”

“Amira, with you, I feel this . . . I don’t know how to describe it. But I feel seen, for who I am. You can see past all the layers, all the material things. You can see me. And it feels like home.”

We swayed, dancing to our own melody. We didn’t need any music this time. We shared the same beat, the same soaring song in our hearts.

It was love. And it was worth its weight in gold.

EPILOGUE

TWO YEARS LATER AMIRA

“Congratulations!”

I gasped, walking into our suite. Draped along the wall was a celebration banner, and beneath it, on the ornately carved desk, was an array of sweet treats and gifts.

“You know, this show could have been a total flop.”

“Then those gifts would be in commiseration.”

“Funny.”

Zane tugged me into his arms. “I knew it would be a hit. I knew you would be a hit.”

It was well past midnight in Paris, but the adrenaline was pumping through me, and in its wake was tingling awareness. I’d just had my first show at Paris Fashion Week. My very first line was showcased for the world to see.

According to those at the after-party, it was a big success.

I grinned. We’d been going full throttle for most of the day, and I had expected to be exhausted by now. But Zane had organized an exclusive after-party this evening that had included the A list of the fashion world that many would envy. I’d rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, accepting compliments from so many people, I thought I was going to float into the clouds from the joy of it.

I wouldn’t know for sure until the critics released their reviews, but at this very moment, I didn’t care. I’d achieved something that I’d only ever dreamed about, something that I’d believed to be so far out of reach, I hadn’t allowed myself to even indulge in the thought.

So much had happened in the past few years. And while some of it had been awful, I knew I was luckier than most to have a husband who was so supportive by my side.

Zane placed a gentle kiss on my nose. “It was good that Sahar came out.”