Single Dad Sat Alone at the Bar—Then His Cold CEO Boss Smiled and Asked, “Will You Buy Me a Drink?”
Chapter 14
Daniel proposed three weeks later.
He didn’t rent a yacht.
He didn’t close a restaurant.
He didn’t call the newspapers.
He took Victoria to the same bar where she had asked him to buy her a drink.
The bartender recognized them immediately.
“Well,” he said. “Look who came back.”
Victoria laughed.
Daniel sat beside her.
He ordered two drinks.
Then put a small box on the bar.
Victoria looked at it.
“No.”
He smiled.
“You haven’t even opened it.”
“I know that look.”
“What look?”
“Your serious face.”
“That’s my normal face.”
“Exactly.”
She opened the box.
A simple diamond ring rested inside.
No enormous stone.
No flashy design.
Just elegant.
Beautiful.
Perfectly her.
Victoria looked at him.
“What happened to asking me to buy you a drink?”
“I decided I’d better buy you something first.”
She laughed through tears.
Daniel took her hand.
“I thought love was supposed to make life simpler.”
“It doesn’t.”
“I know.”
He smiled.
“But it makes the hard things worth it.”
He paused.
“I don’t want to be your employee.”
“I know.”
“I don’t want to be the man you rescue.”
“I know.”
“I want to be the man who stands beside you.”
Victoria whispered,
“You already are.”
He looked into her eyes.
“Then marry me.”
She didn’t answer immediately.
She reached across the bar.
Took his face in her hands.
And kissed him.
The bartender quietly moved away.
When they separated, she whispered,
“Yes.”
Daniel smiled.
Then Lily appeared from behind a nearby booth.
“I knew it!”
They both stared.
“You knew?”
“I planned it.”
Victoria laughed.
“You planned our engagement?”
“Yes.”
Daniel shook his head.
“I’ve created a monster.”
Lily grinned.
“You’re welcome.”
That night, they walked home together.
A family of three.
Not connected by blood alone.
Connected by choice.
And that was worth more than any company Daniel had ever worked for.
