Page 241 of Titus

It was Avery and Jim, Natalia and Spencer, Colton and Wyatt, Amelia and her ready-to-pop belly, my friends Brooke and Sienna, Darcy and Sebastian, Bree and Alex…

Jesus, I watched as all our friends boarded and was completely confused. Why the hell couldn’t I know they were coming to this?

I smiled as I watched John and Mickie Aster walk in, with Jace and Andi Stone behind them. Collin and Elena followed. Yes. Every one of our friends was here, and for what?

I turned back toward the wheelhouse of the yacht when the string orchestra changed its music.

I looked up when I recognized the song, Bésame Mucho.

Our song.

Then he stepped into my line of sight and slowly descended the steps from the upper deck. Dear God, my heart forgot how to beat.

It was Titus, wearing a dark navy suit with an open collar. He looked more handsome than I could remember. It was this whole entrance thing he was known for as well, being the last to step into his or any event he attended.

The last rays of sunlight behind him looked almost golden against his dark hair. I instantly noticed he wasn’t looking at the guests, the décor, or the ocean.

He was looking directly at me as he slowly descended the steps, one hand in his pocket and the other relaxed at his side.

And God. Yes, the man looked devastatingly handsome.

The soft deck lighting suddenly illuminated, with hidden fixtures tucked beneath seating and railings casting everything in a warm amber glow.

Candles flickered everywhere as the sky deepened into shades of violet and pink. The entire yacht looked magical. It was like something from a dream, and the man walking toward me looked like it all revolved around him.

He reached the bottom step, stopped, and simply looked at me. Everything and everyone around me faded, and I smiled as his eyes slowly moved over me, then back to my face.

The corner of his mouth lifted.

“You clean up nicely, sir,” I teased, completely lost as to what the hell was going on.

A laugh escaped him. “The event looks beautiful,” he said.

“It does.”

“I think your guests are going to love it.”

“I think so too.”

I smiled. “You really trusted me with everything.”

He held my gaze. “I did.”

Something in his expression changed, and then he reached for my hand. “Come with me, mi amor,” he said.

“Why do I suddenly feel like I’m the only person who doesn’t know something tonight?” I finally asked as we stepped down the steps to the bow of the boat, where my crew and I spent most of our time, since Titus said he would be making an important announcement there.

My heart rate picked up, and I instinctively squeezed his hand.

He glanced down at me. “Nervous?” he grinned.

“No,” I lied.

“Yes, you are,” he teased, easing my nerves some.

More candles lined the entire deck, while arrangements of intricately designed roses filled the space. The white, cream, and champagne-colored blooms I’d selected draped the railings and framed an intimate sitting area overlooking the ocean.

The ocean breeze danced through my hair as I turned to see Titus, looking more serious than before, and I swallowed, suddenly knowing exactly what this event was designed for.