“Do you love me, Rigby?”
“Of course I do. You know that.”
“Please marry me. Please make me the happiest man alive.” A crease formed above his nose. To deny him happiness would kill her. And she loved Troy Saladino. She really did.
“Yes.” The word flew from her mouth. All she could think of was pleasing the man she loved so very much. “But where?”
“Where else? Vegas, baby.”
“Oh my God,” Elle whispered, struggling to catch her breath. “I’ve never been to Vegas.”
Everything Elle knew about Las Vegas she’d learned from movies and commercials. All she could picture was a dirty chapel with a pastor dressed up like Elvis Presley. Her stomach churned at the thought.
“Well, that’s about to change.”
Troy opened the box, revealing a simple princess-cut diamond on a white gold band. Elle sighed as she took in its beauty and simplicity. Troy knew her so well. They’d never looked at rings together, but if they had, this was the exact ring she would have selected. Simple, classy, and gorgeous. Troy eased it onto her shaky finger. A tear slid down her cheek as she looked into his eager eyes.
“It fits you perfectly.” Troy raised her fingertips to his lips, placing a gentle kiss on her pale skin.
“Are you sure about this?” Elle blurted out, again without considering the consequences of her words. Troy grimaced, but nodded firmly.
“I’ve never been more sure. But you . . . I want you to be sure. If this is too much, you can think about it, take some time, we can wait—”
Part of her wanted to take advantage of that offer. To ponder the idea of their future together. Hell, she’d only been awake for less than five minutes. And there was part of her that wasn’t even certain she was awake. What if this was all a dream? But her heart had other plans.
“No.” She shook her head decisively. “Eleanor Saladino. I like the sound of that.”
“Eleanor Rigby Saladino,” he corrected her.
“Right,” she said with a laugh. She took a bite of her buttery rye toast and another sip of coffee.
“You’ve seriously made me the happiest man alive.”
Troy leaned in, pushed her hair behind her shoulders, and placed soft kisses on the delicate skin of her neck. She shuddered with pleasure as his lips continued to explore her skin.
“So . . . when do we leave?”
Troy pulled back, running his fingers through his short dark hair. “Our flight leaves in three hours.”
“Holy crap.” Elle covered her mouth with her hand.
He’d already booked the flight?
Her brain was running a mile a minute, wondering just how long this plan had been in the works. How he’d been certain she’d say yes. She couldn’t let Troy see a look of consternation on her face. She did her best to focus on the present. “I guess we’d better get ready then.” Elle scarfed down her toast and downed her coffee.
“I borrowed luggage from my folks and I’m already packed. We just have to swing by your place on the way to the airport.”
Adrenaline coursed through Elle’s body as she took the fastest shower of her life. As she scrubbed down her skin, she avoided the little voice in her head questioning whether this was the best choice. After all, she still had her apartment and Troy had his and they each had roommates. The logistics were complicated and it overwhelmed her to think about it, so she pushed the thoughts from her mind, focusing instead on the romantic gesture Troy had made. If it was possible, she was falling even more in love with him with each passing minute, knowing the preparation he’d put into making this weekend romantic and special.
Elle couldn’t stop her knees from bobbing up and down as they sat in the limousine. Troy’s hand rested in her lap.
“You okay?”
Elle’s throat was dry as the limousine approached their hotel. Desperately, she attempted to quell the apprehension that mounted in her chest. Troy wrapped an arm around her and leaned in close.
“You seem nervous.”
“I’m just excited,” Elle lied. “It’s a big day, right?”
“The biggest.” Troy grinned from ear to ear as he peered out the window. Elle watched the man she loved, conflict overflowing within her. She loved him—there was no doubt about that. But, she couldn’t silence the voice in her head that screamed she was making a mistake. A big one.
When they arrived at the Bellagio Hotel, Elle and Troy checked in to their room. They’d discussed their plans. First, they would retrieve their marriage license, followed by a romantic dinner at Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse. And finally, they would marry under the stars of Las Vegas. Troy had arranged for a gazebo ceremony at Mon Bel Ami Wedding Chapel at midnight. Elle was again blown away by his thoughtfulness. When he’d shown her the website for Mon Bel Ami, she knew it was completely her taste. Pictures of a rustic gazebo with hanging greenery and twinkling lights made her swoon.
The only thing missing was a dress.
Elle had packed several cocktail dresses, but none of them seemed proper to marry in. She wasn’t sure if there was time to purchase one, but she knew she wanted to feel like a bride. And no cocktail dress would help her feel that way.
“Is there time . . . to get a dress?” Elle asked when she emerged from the enormous bathroom in their suite. The fluffy robe was soft against her skin, and she snuggled up to Troy, who was sitting on the bed.
Troy grinned.
“You didn’t.”
“Check the closet.”
Elle opened the closet doors and gasped. Five different dresses, sheathed in clear garment bags, were hanging from the bar of the closet.
“They’re rentals. So unfortunately, you won’t be able to keep the one you choose.”
Tears brewed in her eyes as she stared at Troy, who’d joined her by the closet entrance. “I can’t believe it. You thought of everything, didn’t you?”
“I wanted it to be special.” He shrugged.
“It is. It so is.” Elle wrapped her arms around Troy, pulling him close. Then, she turned her attention back to the five garment bags. “Now, which one should I wear?”
She opened the first dress. An ivory, strapless lace gown with a black satin sash, elegant, modern and formfitting. She slipped herself into the exquisite frock. Troy zipped the dress and Elle walked to the full-length mirror on the bathroom door. She sighed, gazing at her reflection. She looked like a bride. A beautiful bride.
“It’s perfect.”
“There are four more. You don’t have to settle—” Troy had moved to the bar and was pouring himself a glass of Johnnie Walker Platinum, his favorite scotch. Elle had ordered it from the hotel to surprise him and she was happy to see him indulging in his favorite drink since he’d gone to such great lengths to make the weekend so special for her.
“I’m not settling. It’s elegant, timeless. I’m in love with it.” She spun gently to and fro, eyeing the dress from all angles. She loved the way it accentuated her curves and hugged her hips. It was as if the dress had been made specifically for her.
Troy truly knows me. He knows me so well.
“And,” she said, giddily, walking quickly to her suitcase, “I can even wear my favorite black heels.”
She slipped the shoes on her feet and walked back to the mirror, enveloped in the happiness surrounding her in that hotel room. Troy’s reflection could be seen with her own as he leaned down to kiss her exposed neck, her hair still up in a fluffy white towel.