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She averted her eyes

"It was you," he said in a discovering voice "How did you know about ht at your apartment, I saw the bills, and I made the connection between the cost of her treat fees I thinkthat’s when I fell all the way in love with you"

A boyish grin spread over his lips "I was going to get those words out of you in the most delicious way" But then his shtful line "It ram Just how rich are you?"

She worried her botto the teddy bear "I’m not that rich anymore Well, I’m kind of rich It depends on how you define it You’re probably not going to like it Are you sure you want to know?"

"Out with it, Stella"

"I had a trust fund There was about fifteen"I donated it to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation to start that ave away your entire trust fund? For me?"

"That’s kind of what you’re supposed to do with money like that, isn’t it? Give it away? I can support myself with my salary It’s just money, Michael, and I couldn’t stand the idea that you were being forced into escorting If you want to do it, that’s one thing But if you don’t" She shook her head "I was deter lots of fa"

"We?" He leaned forward and kissed her cheek, the corner of her mouth "That was all you That money was not mine" He pressed a series of kisses to her lips "Thank you for givingyou I love you"

She couldn’t help s hiner with complete confidence That is, if you are ht away, he started the engine and drove out of the parking lot Eyes on the road and voice casual, he said, "I better be your boyfriend Since I’ you to marry me in three months"

Stella’s jaw dropped as shock washed over her in waves that alternated between hot and cold "Why are you telling me this?"

A slance her way before focusing on the road once again "Because you don’t like surprises, and I figured you’d need tiht about that, but before she could dwell on it too ht hers, interlacing their fingers the way he always did

Saying nothing, she let the moment wash over her, the uncertainty, the breathless hope, the anxiousness, and the shiht of their intertwined hands pleased her So different, but still five fingers and five knuckles, the sarip, and he squeezed her back Palether

EPILOGUE

FOUR MONTHS LATER

Stella strolled down a quiet sidewalk in San Francisco’s warehouse district, a discreet corner of town inhabited by several West Coast–based fashion businesses After opening an un of steel walls, ceress on the far side of the roo Michael’s latest designs It was barely autu in age from preschool to tween posed in exquisitely tailored,newsboy caps, sweater dresses, and fur-trimmed mantles

Quan saw her first "Hi, Stella" He waved at her absently before continuing an animated discussion with the caolden ribbon on a little girl’s white chiffon evening dress and glanced up at her, brightening "You’re early"

"I irl on the shoulder and directed her toward the set, where a coordinator was positioning the children and the props As he walked to her, he tucked his hands into the pockets of his slacks and swept an appreciative gaze over her navy-blue skirt suit and the scarf loosely wrapped around her neck She kneas ad selection for her today, and her lips thinned as she suppressed a ss that made him happy