Chapter One

His chest puffed slightly and he leaned forward, reaching across the table for her hand. "I could spend the rest of my life watching you across the table from me. Your face beginning my day." He shook his head. Man, am I screwing this up. It had sounded so much better during the rehearsals that had run through his mind all day long.

Her smile widened and the room brightened. "Be careful, mister. I might have to hold you to that."

The hell with timing. "I hope you do." He handed her the gift-wrapped box.

Cas's eyes went wide and began to mist over. Tears slipped down her cheek as she opened it and took out the ring.

"I ..." She seemed to be struggling for words. "You really mean it? I ... oh, Justice."

He reached up and brushed the tears away with a gentle touch. "Do you like it?"

"No, I love it. You've made me so very happy." She turned the small gold band over.

The single solitaire was what the jeweler had called a princess cut. Along the entire band were smaller diamonds of the same channel cut.

Justice took the ring and slid it on her finger. It slipped and she turned the diamond back around. It was still a little too large. He could get that fixed soon enough.

Cas placed her hand on his. "It's so perfect, Justice."

"You still haven't answered me."

"You never really asked." She grinned and dabbed at her eyes with the corner of the napkin. "Of course I will. I know a good thing when it falls in my lap. You can't get away from me now. You realize that, right? No escape."

"Life without parole."

She held up her hand, studying the diamond sparkles in the lights. "It's

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