Held Captive By Love by Sandy Anton

could ever possibly deserve,” She said, lowering her voice.  “Including you.”
      Fernando took her hand and squeezed it.  “You deserve the best in the world.”  He paused.  “I love you so much, Jenna.  You woke me up from a deep sleep that I didn't even know I was in.”
      Jenna's eyesight blurred as tears began to collect.  “I love you too,” She whispered.  “I'm sorry about all my apprehension when it comes to commitment.  You've helped me get rid of a lot of that fear.”
      Fernando stared at her for a long moment, and Jenna just stared back.  How did she ever get so lucky to have him in her life?  She meant what she had just told him, too.  She was tired of being afraid.  Fernando was the man that she loved.  She cared for him like she had never cared for anyone, and she would do anything and work through anything in order to stay with him. 
      Fernando let go of her hand to turn and signal at the waiter.  Jenna furrowed her brows in confusion.  They had finished dinner twenty minutes ago, and they'd both already decided that they didn't want dessert.  Her wine and his brandy glass were both full, and she certainly didn't feel like she was ready to go.  What was he asking for?
      She opened her mouth to inquire when the waiter showed up with a bottle of champagne on ice.
      “Champagne?” She laughed.  “What's the occasion?”
      Fernando blinked his thick lashes and stared intently at her.  “It hasn't occurred yet, but I'm hoping that in just a minute there will be cause for celebration.”
      “What do you mean?” 
      Jenna had no clue what he was talking about.  Did this have to do with work?  Had he won that water case that had been giving his office so much grief? 
      Fernando didn't answer.  Instead, he stood from his chair and came around the side of the table to where she was seated.  Slowly, he bent down onto one knee, reaching into his pocket as he did so. 
      “Oh my God,” Jenna whispered.  No.  Way.  There was no way that what seemed to be happening was happening.  It couldn't be.  She'd never even imagined that Fernando would ask her to marry him.  A week ago, she would have been afraid of a proposal occurring.
      But today?  Now? 
      What she knew now was that she was completely and unconditionally in love with Fernando Gomez, and all the fear and commitment-phobia in the world wasn't going to be able to hold her back from being with him.  She wanted to see him every day; to taste him every night.
      And she wanted that for the rest of her life.
      Deep down she'd known that from the moment she'd first set eyes on him.  She'd fought against it, sure, but there was no fighting anymore.  Some things were just inevitable.
      “Jenna Smith,” Fernando said, pulling a small, blue velvet box out of his pocket.  “Will you marry me?  Will you be my wife?”
      He opened the tiny box and there, nestled in a white satin bed, was a pink diamond engagement ring fastened to a band of white gold.  It was the most beautiful ring Jenna had ever seen.  And he was offering it to her.
      He looked so gorgeous; so endearing there, resting on his one knee.  Jenna wanted the moment to last forever.  Or, at the very least, all night.  She wanted to soak the moment in and keep it with her forever.  She couldn't though.  He was waiting for her response.
      The whole restaurant was waiting, actually, a fact that Jenna was suddenly aware of.  The entire rooftop had grown quiet.  The waiter with the champagne bottle.  The patrons in their seats.  The bartender who'd even stopped polishing glasses.  They were all looking at her. 
      “Yes,” She whispered, then raised her voice to say it again.  “Yes, I will.”
      Fernando's grin exploded across his face, and the entire rooftop erupted in applause.  It was like something out of a cheesy romantic comedy. 
      Reaching for her hand, Fernando took the ring and slipped it onto