Now the concierge is looking at me like I'm crazy. I can see he's trying to decide whether to call security or not. He goes for the gentle approach.
"She's beautiful. You know- maybe you should take this slow. Give yourself a chance to get to know her."
As I start to laugh, o.k. maybe a bit hysterically, I see his hand twitch toward the phone.
I take a deep breath. Time for professional Josh to step up.
"Hold on a second." My tone gets his attention. He deals with people all the time and he can tell I have authority. Maybe the backpack threw him off at first.
I reach down, unzip the front pocket and pull out the box. As he opens it, I tell him our story. Well, the abbreviated version.
"I've been carrying that ring around for 3 years. I couldn't propose while we worked together and I was too scared to change our dynamic. But having that ring . . . kept me sane more times than I can count. Donna and I-we are meant to be."
"Well, then sir. Let's get you two married."
Resorts like this specialize in these types of things, and on a Tuesday, last minute really isn't that big of a deal. I'm starting to get excited again. When we've finished all the details, I stand up and shake his hand.
He says: "She's a lucky lady.'
"No," I quickly correct him. I look down at my rumpled clothes, smirk a little to myself. Then I say-
"But she's waited a long time for me to be the man she deserves. Don't worry- I'm sure she'll be stopping by to make sure I don't screw it up."