Nan nods aggressively, dabbing her eyes.
Sally sniffs. “Such a beautiful trap.”
I chuckle, keeping my gaze locked on Aspen. “You are stubborn, competitive, a little chaotic, and completely impossible.” I grin. “And I have never loved anyone more in my life.”
Aspen lets out a shaky laugh, pressing a hand to her mouth.
“I love you, Aspen. I love every part of you and I want forever. Not just the late nights and the easy mornings, but all of it.”
Her eyes shine.
I flip open the ring box, revealing the diamond ring I spent weeks picking out.
“Will you marry me, sweetheart?”
Silence stretches out between us and then Aspen sniffs loudly, blinking rapidly.
“Oh my God,” she chokes out, shaking her head. Then, without another word, she grabs my face, kisses me hard, and whispers against my lips, “Yes. A thousand times yes.”
Nan demands credit first. “You’re welcome, darling,” she says, squeezing Aspen’s shoulders. “You never would have found him without me.”
Sally grins. “Pretty sure it wasourmatchmaking skills that got this going.”
Marie smirks. “I was the one who suggested a locked bookstore situation.”
Aspen groans, burying her face in my shoulder.
I kiss the top of her head. “You love it.”
Aspen grumbles something, but she’s smiling.
And as I look around, at the people who love us, at the woman who just said yes to forever, at the life we’re building, I know one thing for certain.
No matter who did what to make Aspen mine, I won. I get to spend forever with Aspen Hayes.
