“I think we’re all a bit stunned. I’m definitely still processing everything, but on the whole, I’m happy. I could be upset that my dad had an affair, but he’s been gone for so long. And when you’ve lost so many people you love, it seems like a blessing to find out that there are more of us.”
I smiled, brushing my lips against his. “You are incredible.”
He slid his hand around the back of my neck so he was cupping my skin. “So are you.”
And then he kissed me again, deeply and full of passion. When he pulled me on top of him, I groaned. He felt so good,and as we writhed against each other, shedding clothes and whispering promises of love, the future had never seemed brighter.
Several Months Later
Jasperand I grabbed some drinks and headed out to enjoy a quiet evening on our back patio as we so often did. It was one of my favorite things about our new home. A tiled patio, large grassy lawn, and a pool that had already been the source of so many fun memories.
Jasper settled on the lounge chair first, then I sat in front of him, leaning back so I was resting against his chest. My birthday was coming up, but I already had everything I could ever want.
We chatted about recent events, about life. It was one of my favorite parts of my day—this ritual we’d developed in the evening. It was nice to wind down and reconnect.
I heard a buzzing noise, and I frowned. “Do you hear that?”
“Hear what?” Jasper whispered against the shell of my ear. I shivered.
I sat up, straightening. “It sounds like…” I looked to the sky, but I couldn’t see anything. “It sounds like a bunch of bees.”
The sound was faint but distinctive. I stood, trying to determine the source. But then the sky lit up with colorful dots, and I realized it was a flock of drones.
They hovered above us and moved into a series of elaborateformations that were both impressive and beautiful.What on earth?
I glanced back at Jasper, but he didn’t seem surprised. If anything, he was watching me intently. What was he up to?
The drones moved again, spelling out my name.Halle.
They were choreographed to transform into a heart that cycled through a number of colors. It was beautiful and mesmerizing, like looking into a kaleidoscope. And then in a scripty font, the words, “Will you marry me?” appeared. This time when I turned to Jasper, he was kneeling. My eyes widened.
“Halle.” He could barely speak, his voice was clogged with emotion. “I love you and Kai, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I know we don’t need a ring or a certificate to make us a family, but I want to be your husband. Please say yes. Say you’ll marry me.”
I didn’t even have to think about it. “Yes! Absolutely. I love you, and I want that too.”
He removed a box from his pocket and held up a ring. It was a gorgeous sapphire-and-diamond cluster ring that had to be vintage. It was unique, and I absolutely loved it. But I loved the man holding it even more.
“This was my grandmother’s ring.” He slid the ring onto my finger, and it was a perfect fit. “She left it to me with a note. She told me that I would know when I met the right woman to wear it. And she was right. Because the only person I could ever imagine wearing it is you.”
I swiped away a tear. “You—” I cupped his cheeks “—are everything I never knew I wanted. I didn’t think I’d ever want to get married again, and yet, I can’t wait to be your wife. I see how much you love Kai, and it makes me fall even more in love with you.”
He tilted his head, a tear tracing its way down his cheek. Iswiped it away with my thumb. “I love you, and I’m so grateful you were brave enough to give us a chance.”
“Was there ever any other choice?” I teased, and now I was crying. I was full of so much love and gratitude and hope. This man and the life we were building together was…everything. And I couldn’t wait to see what the future held.
The next morning, I was exhausted but satisfied. More than satisfied. Jasper always made sure I came first and often, and last night had been no exception. But there was something about being engaged that seemed to bring out the primal caveman in him. My fiancé had been ravenous.Fiancé.I stared down at my ring with a smile.
I’d arrived at the private airport just in time for the family jet to land. Jasper had asked if I could pick up Graham and Lily from the airport. It seemed like a strange request since they usually preferred to have their bodyguard drive them when they were in town, but I didn’t question it.
When the door of the plane opened, the first person to descend the stars wasn’t Lily or Graham. It was Zara.
Wait. What?
I shielded my eyes from the sun. “Oh my god. Zara?”
Zara had been talking about visiting for a while, but I’d had no idea she was flying in for my birthday. I wondered how long she and Jasper had been planning this surprise.
Zara practically ran down the steps from the airplane to where I was waiting on the tarmac. We hugged, and it felt like it had been so much longer than eight months since we’d last seen each other. I’d missed her. Texting and phone calls weren’t enough, but I was glad she was here now.
