AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I walk back to the bonfire and sit next to the love of my life. His hand reaches around my back. His fingers ghost up and down my spine, soothing touches that provide a level of comfort I didn’t realize I needed. Today is a day I realize that me and my siblings are entering a different stage in our lives. Though we’ve been on our own, today feels like a world of possibilities and experiences that we didn’t realize would be available to us.
Lawson and Massey slowly come back to shore and Lawson saunters up to me. I reach into my bag, grabbing the small box. He grins down at me, snatching the case from my hand. He turns, dropping to his knee. Gasps all around when everyone else starts realizing what is happening. Victor pinches my side, causing me to lean closer to him. I rest my head on his shoulder as we watch Lawson open the ring box.
“I know you said yes out there, but say it louder for the world to hear!” he begs. “Marry me?”
“Yes! Yes, yes, yes!” Massey squeaks, and her entire body shakes with excitement.
He pulls the ring from its spot in the box and slips the ring on her finger.
“Lawson, left hand! Left hand!” I quickly state.
“Left hand.” Lawson shakes his head at me. Massey is so completely caught up in the proposal she also didn’t realize she had offered the wrong hand. Her head falls back, cackling. Everyone jumps to the happy couple, offering congratulations. I rush to my best friend and grab her hands, tugging her to the side for us to have a moment. I wrap her up in a big hug, and she holds me tight.
“You knew?” she whispers.
“Of course, I knew.” She should know better.
“Thanks for keeping the ring,” Lawson says, sneaking up behind us. He drags Massey from my grip and holds her close to his body. He’s so gentle with her.
“Of course.” I scrunch my nose at them both. He gives me a fist bump and holds onto Massey’s hand, running his thumb over the engagement ring.
“Congrats Law. That’s amazing,” Taylor warmly says.
“What’s amazing is she said yes!” I tease. I knew she would say yes, but he’s my brother. I enjoy giving him some kind of shit.
“I’ll second that!” Leland adds, taunting along with me.
“What?” Massey looks around like we are the crazy ones.
“Shocked the hell out of me, to be honest,” Lawson adds.
“Why?” She genuinely looks confused.
“Because you, my beautiful fiancé, are a catch. You can have anyone you want, and you said yes to me. Part of me worries knowing some guys at your work are dying for you to look their way,” Lawson tells her. Massey looks bewildered by his words. He soothes her furrowed eyebrows, “Babe, it’s cute you didn’t see.” Lawson pushes some hair out of her face. “But, yeah, they all want you. Why did you think they asked you to go to lunch all the time?”
“Work lunches are not dates.” Massey tries to defend them.
“Well, it’s a start. Trust me, you could have anyone you want.” He looks at her, hoping she doesn’t realize it.
“I only want you.” Massey wraps her arms around Lawson’s waist, hugging him tighter. Reassuring him verbally and physically.
“Good, I’m never letting you go.” He lays a kiss on her head.
“Well, let’s celebrate you two!” I changed the subject.
Everyone breaks apart to get the food ready. The rest of the night, we reminisce. With all the love and excitement of the day, offers a gentler recollection of everything. Today, we can speak in a more hopeful tone.
Massey turns toward me and the elation beams from her. Her eyes flick back and forth from me to her ring.
“Are you okay with this?” weariness tugs at her words.
“Are you kidding? I am so happy for you!”
“How didn’t you slip up? I can’t believe you knew.” She gleams.
“I can keep secrets.” I laugh.
“Think you’ll be here one day? Engaged or married?” She shifts the ring around her finger. Circling it around her skin. The oval cut moissanite vintage ring sits perfectly along her finger. The small cluster of diamonds that surround the center stone looks like a starburst.
