As we sat there and watched the people walk by, I realized I’d come to another defining moment, although this one was infinitely more interesting than whether to tell a chain-restaurant manager to take a leap or whether I wanted an investigative career catching cardiac surgeons cheating on their wives.
Yes, this one was vastly more important. Did I ask or did I not? And what of Alana? Would she say yes or would she say no? It was a simple question, really. It doesn’t get much easier than yes or no.
I ran my hand over my front pocket and felt the bump of the ring. I must have repeated that action a million times since we’d gotten to Paris, praying each time that it hadn’t fallen out.
“I don’t know if I could ever see myself leaving Maui, but if I did, I could see myself here,” Alana said.
“There’s a good reason this city has attracted so many great artists.”
“How many times have you been here?” Alana asked.
“This is my fifth time,” I said, “but I never get tired of it.”
“It’s so beautiful,” she said.
I laughed.
“What’s so funny?”
“I was just thinking back to the first time I met you. I couldn’t believe I’d just stepped on your toes at that art show.”
“It wasn’t a smooth move,” Alana admitted.
“That night you came over to Foxx’s house for the first time, did you ever think we’d end up here, sitting on a bench in Paris and looking at the night sky?” I asked.
“No. That wasn’t what I was thinking that night.”
“What were you thinking?” I asked.
I nodded. “I’m glad you didn’t,” I said.
Now it was Alana’s turn to laugh. “I’d doubt you’d want to take me to Paris if I’d tossed you in jail.”
“I don’t know. I might have gotten around to forgiving you. Plus, I probably deserved it. I was interfering.”
We watched people walk by for several more minutes. Neither of us said a word. We just enjoyed each other’s company and the beautiful scenery.
I stood, but Alana stayed sitting on the park bench.
The defining moment. To ask or not to ask.
Would she say yes or would she say no?
I got down on one knee and pulled the ring out of my pocket.
“Detective Hu, I’ve never met anyone quite as beautiful and remarkable as you. I love you. Would you do me the honor of being my wife?”
She smiled and said, “Yes.”