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I shoot her a look and shrug. "Oh, the store. Yeah, he's asked me, but I just don't feel like it's a good idea. It's his, you know. He retired from MMA and opened this amazing place everyone is crazy about, and that's great; it really is. But I need to put some distance between all of that and me because what'll happen when we inevitably drift apart, and I'm left with nothing?"
"And what is the opposite? What if you get to spend your life with a guy who cares about you, doing something you actually enjoy?"
"It's not that easy. Remember how things ended up last time around?"
"Ty, you're crazy about this guy, I can tell. I don't mean to be mean, but you need to get out of your own head and see we all want to be allowed back in. You're going to have twins, you're living with a guy who's crazy about you, and you've got friends who want to be a part of this amazing experience. Sure, it's stressful and scary and new, and I bet being unable to do what you love is shitty, but you'll give birth in a few months, and you'll be able to go back to training."
"Whoa, tough love time?" I take a deep breath, letting her words sink in. But they don't make me feel bad or even sad. Sometimes, a girl needs a little push, right? And Sarah’s always been the one to give me just that.
“Yeah, Ty, tough love time. Because I see you struggling with all these doubts and fears, and it breaks my heart. You deserve to be happy."
I smile, the first real smile I've enjoyed in some time. "Alright, you've got a point there. Enough with the pity party; let's go have some fun!"
"That's the spirit," she grins while parking her car and turns toward me, holding something in her hand. Now, put this on."
I look down, surprised to see a blindfold. "What's that for?"
"Put it on," she insists, without any further explanation, and I know asking more questions will lead me nowhere.
"Alright, alright, but if you're kidnapping me, expect me to be a terrible captive."
We share a laugh as she helps me tie the blindfold behind my head. I have to rely on Sarah's guidance as we walk down the street and into a building.
"This seems too elaborate for a baby shower. Where are you really taking me, huh?"
As Sarah guides me inside, I hear familiar voices and sounds: the low hum of conversations and the buzzing of headlights above a—what? A stage? Surely not.
"Surprise!" The chorus of voices hits me like a wave just as Sarah takes off the blindfold, and I blink, my eyes adjusting to the light.
I’m in the middle of a fighting cage, with fairy lights adorning the metal bars, flowers, and decorations all around. All my closest friends are gathered around the ring, smiling and cheering.
And in front of me, down on one knee, is Grayson, clad in an elegant suit that accentuates his broad shoulders and toned physique. The soft glow of the colorful lights surrounding us illuminates his chiseled features, and his ice-blue eyes stare deep into mine with an intensity that leaves me breathless.
"Ty, I know I've messed up in the past—many, many times. I know I've been a jerk, an insensitive prick, and whatever else you've called me to your friends. But you've helped me change, helped me realize I didn't like the man I was becoming, the life I was leading. I love you, and I want you to know I'm going to be there for you and our children every single step of the way. Not just until they're born or until they become annoying teenagers or graduate high school, but for the rest of our lives."
He pauses, reaches into his pocket, and pulls out a little velvet box. I gasp as he opens it, revealing a beautiful engagement ring with a tear-shaped blue diamond.
"Tyley Evans, will you marry me?"
Tears well up in my eyes as I stare at this man kneeling before me, so vulnerable and sincere. The weight of his words, the depth of his emotions, and the beauty of the moment all crash over me like a tidal wave. Everything he has said, everything he has done, culminates in this one perfect moment.
I take a step forward, my heart pounding in my chest, and reach out to cup Grayson's face in my hands. "Yes. Yes, Grayson, I'll marry you."
As he slips the ring onto my finger, the room erupts into cheers. He stands up, picks me up as he does, and twirls me around as we melt into a perfect kiss.
thirty
Grayson
The phone rings as I’m taking care of a customer, and behind me, Cindy, one of my trusted employees, picks it up. I tune her out, focusing on the task at hand, but the very next instant, she's squealing my name and waving her hands frantically.
"What is it?" I ask, turning around as the customer gives us a confused look.
"It's Tyley; you really, really have to get this now!"
I rush toward the front desk, taking the phone from Cindy, my heart thumping at a hundred miles an hour.
My voice comes out shaky. "Tyley? Is everything okay?"
