If looks could warm me, though, this one would. Mateo’s looking at me like I’m both a breath of fresh air and a hot summer night, like I’m the beginning and end of every season. His eyes spark fire within me, burning away every trace of doubt. How did we get from I might throw up at any moment to this?
He extends his hand, palm up, and I take it without thinking, stepping closer into his spicy, familiar-scented space. This scent right here is engrained in my being, especially now that I fall asleep on his chest every night.
“Hi,” I whisper.
“Daisy girl.”
“Teo,” I breathe, my voice trembling. He smiles like he’s savoring the sound of me unraveling. “Are you feeling better?”
“Mm-hmm,” he hums.
“Fresh air was all you needed, huh?”
“You.”
“I—what?”
“You were all I needed.”
The dock seems to tilt beneath me, my heart pounding so loud, I can hear it in my ears. His words sink deep, and I’m beyond confused. I laugh nervously, the sound breaking the night’s stillness.
“That’s…okay? I—we’re together, you know?”
His smile widens, softer this time, almost boyish. “Yeah.” He doesn’t say anything else, almost like he’s waiting for answers. He didn’t ask a question, though, so I truly don’t know what he wants, and it’s dizzying.
“You asked me last year if Christmas was my favorite holiday, and I said no, remember?”
“Yeah, but you lied,” I reply, and he nods.
“Do you know why it’s my favorite holiday?” I shake my head and bite my lip. Where is this going?
“Because since I was seven years old, I got to spend them with you, every year. For over twenty years, I knew no matter what, it was Daisy Day.”
He takes a deep, shaky breath, like he’s been rehearsing this in his head all night and can’t hold it in any longer. His hand squeezes mine once, and then he lowers himself to one knee, right there on the dock.
My hands fly to my mouth. “Oh my God.”
The fairy lights above us glow brighter—or maybe it’s just my vision blurring with tears. Fucking finally! I can’t say that, can I? Nope, I should wait for him to speak, live in the moment. I should one hundred percent get out of my head.
Mateo’s voice wavers, but his eyes never leave mine. “I wrote this a million times over because I was lost about what to say. You’d think a man who has been practicing how to ask the girl of his dreams to marry him for decades would know what to say, but the words failed me.”
Well, shit. Now I’m crying.
“You already know I can’t live without you. You’re not just my girlfriend, Daisy. You’re my family. My home. My best friend. My confidant. My partner. My brightest light on a dark day and the last person I want to see when I close my eyes. You are my everything, and I don’t want to wait another day to make that official.”
He pulls a small velvet box from his pocket, flipping it open with a hand that trembles only slightly. The ring catches the moonlight, glinting like every childhood wish I ever made under these very trees.
“Will you marry me?” he asks, and a sob breaks free from my lips. I don’t know what to say or do; all I can do is cry with my hands covering my mouth.
“Well, say something,” someone shouts from behind me, but I’m too afraid to turn around to see who it is. Then, it registers. Oh no, no, no. I didn’t say anything!
“Yes! Oh my God, yes! All I’ve ever wanted was to say yes, Mateo.”
He slides the prettiest gold ring on my finger, and I throw myself at him, tackling him to the damp grass. I kiss him gently at first and then ravenously, and I don’t stop until he whispers against my lips, “Everyone’s here.”
I look at him puzzled. “Who’s everyone?”
A mix of “Surprise!” and “Everyone!” shouts greet us, and I look around, the tears still flowing. All our friends, my sister, my mom, Mateo’s family, and Livie and Alex are here, smiling so big at us.
“Fucking finally,” Livie shouts, and we all laugh.
“Come on, lovebirds. Let’s take this party inside. I’m cold!” my little sister whispers, and we follow her directions.
We spend the rest of the night intertwined, surrounded by our friends and family, and I thank myself again for breaking all those rules a year ago.
