Page 188 of Checkmate
Erica nodded her agreement, laughing as she wiped a tear that escaped the corner of her eye. His heart soared with love for her and just how much the positive reception meant to her.
For all his life, he had hoped for a woman like Erica.
For someone as passionate as he was. Who wanted them both to succeed as a team and would never shy away from a challenge.
Tonight was definitely the night.
“When I was a lad, it was Agnes and this pub that ignited my imagination and made me fall in love with all things spooky. My da’ told me that if I didn’t behave, I’d feel the ghostly presence of Agnes and her cricket bat.
“I should have been terrified. And if a living person came at me with a cricket bat, I’d have pissed my pants. But there I was, eight years old and being the biggest pest I could just to see if scary old Agnes would come and get me.”
He smiled at the titter of laughter that went around the room.
“She did not. And nor has she any time I’ve returned to this pub. Not once have I ever felt that Agnes or any other ghost lived in these walls. I still hold hope that one day, Agnes will deem me worthy. Because if not for her and her cricket bat, I wouldn’t be standing here today giving this speech.
I wouldn’t have spent hours researching ghost stories. Or visiting those places. And I wouldn’t have created a business to tell these stories to others.”
Taking a breath, Marcus calmed himself, glancing at Erica. “Without this business, my ex-wife might not have seen me as a penniless failure and cheated on me. Believe it or not, that was the best thing to ever happen to me. Because it led me to the beautiful woman you see standing up here with me.”
Erica waved him off, blushing again even as she smiled at him.
“Without Agnes, I wouldn’t have a weird job that would make me interesting enough for Erica to want to stick around.” She laughed, and he reached for her hand, pulling her close. “Okay, that was a lie,” he said. Even when I was a penniless failure, this woman became my best friend. She was my biggest advocate and the most incredible support I could have hoped for.
“Phantom Footsteps would not be where it is today without Erica and her wonderful passion. I would not be where I am without her unwavering belief in me.”
Marcus cleared his throat as emotion stung his eyes. He chuckled at his nerves and met Erica’s gaze. This time, he addressed her, everything else melting away.
For me, there was nowhere else in the world I could watch the premiere of our show. It had to be the pub that inspired my entire career. There was no other moment when I could ask you to be my wife. It’s this moment when I am on top of the world and you’re the reason I’m there.””
Erica’s eyes widened, filling with tears as she covered her mouth. Once again, the room filled with silence as people looked on at them. Marcus’ heart leapt into his mouth, white noise ringing in his ears.
“What are you doing?” Erica asked from behind her hand, a slight squeak in her tone.
Marcus smirked at her. He then dropped to one knee and pulled out the box from his jacket pocket. He revealed the ring he’d had custom-made for her.
“Erica, I can’t imagine a life more perfect than the one I share with you. In our short time together, we’ve been through so much and conquered the world.
You’ve given me everything. In return, I promise to do all I can to make you happy and to ensure you never regret tying yourself to a fool like me. So, Erica Starling, we’ve both been here before and heard promises from other people who stomped on our hearts. But I’m asking you now, will you take this journey with me and become my wife?
“Erica, will you marry me?”
His heart pounded painfully as the silence between them stretched for an age. Suddenly, he was aware of their audience, a hundred pairs of eyes waiting with bated breath.
Fuck, he should have done this in private.
What if she said no? What if she hated everything about -
“Yes.”
It was only one word. But it held the most weight. One syllable was enough to send his heart soaring with relief before his entire body felt lighter as sheer happiness filled his soul.
“Yes, I’ll marry you!”
Her smile took his breath away as she sank to the floor with him, and he pulled her into his arms. She didn’t care about the dirty wooden panels on her silk trousers. Nor did she worry about how she looked to the cheering people.
Later, when Marcus reflected on this moment and remembered the intoxicating atmosphere that filled the pub, it would occur to him how different the two women he had proposed to had reacted when he popped the question.
Unlike Erica, who only had eyes for him and only wanted to be his wife, Sophie refused his proposal twice. She insisted he needed to plan the perfect moment so that everyone could admire her.
