Now it was his turn to raise his eyebrows. “You do? Okay, ask away.”
“You’re going to think this is so crazy,” she said, shaking her head as she grinned at him, “but I mentioned your name to Kyra. You know my friend from work? I told you about her.”
“Yes,” he said, nodding. “You mentioned her a few times.”
“Well, when she heard your last name she came up with this crazy idea that you’re Ransom Kent, the billionaire construction tycoon. Can you believe it?” Solie’s grin spilled over into a laugh. “Kyra’s got an imagination that would put Walt Disney to shame.” Her body shook with laughter and she pulled her hand away to lift her napkin and dab at her eyes. “Poor girl, she even made a bet on it. Right now she owes me a hundred bucks.”
Ransom drew in his breath and sat back in his chair. Shit. He’d meant to tell her about that but the time just never seemed to be right. Now everything was out in the open and he hadn’t been the one to tell her. How would she react when he confirmed her friend’s suspicion? She’d been known to fly off the handle for far less. Well, there was nothing to do now but spill the beans.
He grimaced then sighed. “Sorry, Solie, but you’re the one who’ll have to pay up.”
That got him an even bigger burst of laughter. “You’re just as bad as she is. You’re having fun with this, aren’t you?” Her laughter died to a chuckle as she shook her head. “You have a sense of humor, I’ll give you that.”
Ransom tightened his lips. How to break this to her without embarrassing the heck out of her? When he spoke his voice was low but firm. “I’m serious, Solie. I’m the Ransom Kent your friend thinks I am.”
The smile froze on Solie’s face. For a full five seconds she just stared at him then the smile faded from her lips. In quick succession her brow furrowed and confusion filled her eyes. “You’re serious.”
Again, he grimaced, not enjoying this, then he nodded. “I’m serious.”
Solie’s face fell. “But…how could this be? I…you’re a construction worker. I see you head off to work almost every day in your hard hat and vest. It doesn’t make any sense.”
Ransom sat forward and reached for her hand but she pulled it away. “I’m sorry, Solie. I didn’t mean to mislead you. I was going to tell you. I just didn’t think it was that important.”
“Not important?” Her brows shot up then fell right back down as she glared at him. “How could it not be important? You lied to me.” She shook her head. “I don’t even know who you are.”
“But you do, Solie. The guy you see going to work, that’s the real me. That’s who I am.” Ransom struggled to find the right words. How could he make her understand? “I may have some money now but I’m no different from the guy who started out in a humble farmhouse in Iowa.”
“Have some money? You’re a friggin’ billionaire.”
“And so what? What the hell’s the difference? I can’t be with you because I’ve got money?” Realizing he was raising his voice, Ransom shut up. He drew in his breath then let it out slowly, trying to calm his nerves. The evening was not going as he’d planned. “Listen,” he said, forcing himself to stay calm, “can we just forget about all that and focus on us?” He reached out to take her hand again. “Only on us. Okay?”
For just a second Solie hesitated but then the tension in her shoulders relaxed and the worry on her face gave way to a half smile. “I still don’t know if I should believe you. You and Kyra probably linked up to prank me, but if what you’re saying has an ounce of truth to it, you know what the worst part is?”
Relieved she was smiling again, Ransom smiled back and shrugged. “What?”
“I’ve got to pay Kyra a hundred dollars.” And with that, Solie gave a dramatic groan.
Ransom could only laugh. Thank God she had a sense of humor.
His fingers tightened around hers. “Now that we’ve put that behind us I’d like to get back to my question.”
“Oh, yeah. Right. I cut you off, didn’t I?” She gave him an apologetic smile. “Sorry. What did you want to ask me?”
Ransom wanted to do this right. He was even contemplating going down on one knee but after the near-disaster that had just been averted the sensible plan of action might be to just get it out.
“Solie,” he said, “I want you to look me in the eyes.” When he was satisfied he had one hundred percent of her attention he began. “I think you know how important you are to me.”
“I do?” Her eyes widened, full of wonder, as she spoke in a breathless whisper.
Ransom frowned. “You should. How many times have I said…” He paused, his voice trailing off into nothingness. Dammit. He’d never said it. He’d been loving this woman all this time and never once had he come out and said so.
Time to get his act together. He’d messed up and now he had to make good. Real good.
Ransom got up and walked around the table to take Solie by the hands. Still looking bemused she got up and stood before him, her fingers trembling as she held his hand.
Ransom gave her a reassuring smile but when he spoke his voice was solemn. “Solie, I want you to know that I love you, more than you could ever know. I don’t want to live a day without you in my life.” He folded her hands in his and pressed their clasped hands to his heart. “Soledad Felix, will you be my wife?”
Solie gasped and when her eyes met his they were wide and shimmering. “I’m sorry,” she said on a hiccup. “Did you…just ask me to marry you?”
Ransom released her but only to cup her face in his hands. “I did, my sweetheart. I know this is sudden but I want you to be with me forever. I can’t be happy until I know you’re mine. I love you, Solie. Will you accept me as your husband?”