An unusual one — to my husband, on his fortieth birthday.

And I’d like all of you to listen very, very closely.”

Across the pool, I watched the grin fall off Trent’s face and the color go with it.

He started toward me, fast, pushing between his own guests.

But he was already too late, and some part of him knew it.

“My dear Trent,” I said into the microphone, holding his eyes as fifty people held their breath.

“I’ve kept a secret for us both for a long time now.