“The last weekend of June. Do you think that might work for you?”
“Yes,” I said, hoping I didn’t sound too enthusiastic, even though I wanted to jump out of my skin. This was really happening. I couldn’t wait to tell… Beck. It had always been my first thought when something good happened.
How could I not have seen the signs earlier?
“So this is the room.”
The universe had a sense of humor, apparently. It was Beck’s room from that night. The one I’d crossed the threshold into, having no idea what was in store.
I was surprised she wanted to turn it into a service room. It had looked recently remodeled, perfect for a bedroom.
“I’ll let you go in first,” she said.
Trying not to give Ellie a strange look, as it was an odd thing to say… or maybe it was the way she said it, I walked past her.
And gasped.
It was like a scene out of a movie.
Flowers everywhere.
Pink rose petals, my favorite color, everywhere.
In the middle of it all, Beck. The door clicked behind me as I stepped forward, unable to speak. He wore khakis and a white shirt, his sleeves rolled. He looked… handsome. And nervous.
“How—” I began as he stepped forward.
“I never meant to insinuate you were the kind of person who would lead me on. It’s just that… I’ve loved you my whole life, Mae. And I was bound to screw up trying to make you understand how much. Truth is…”
This couldn’t be happening. How was this even possible?
“You asked why men suck. Some of them just do. But others, myself included, were never taught the words to use to express emotion. Or worse, were taught not to do it at all. So then when we do, we mess it up royally. I can’t speak for all of them, but for me? I pushed people away before they could decide I wasn’t enough. Beforeyoucould. I didn’t think I deserved the kind of love you wanted. Still don’t know if I do. But I’m done self-sabotaging before I can find out.”
I tried to process his words. They were as honest, and raw, as any I’d ever heard coming from Beck.
“You don’t suck,” I managed. “Not by a long shot.”
“Good,” he said. “Please keep that in mind when you give me your answer.”
“Answer to?—”
He knelt on one knee before me, eliciting another gasp. Opening a ring box, the most perfectly simple round diamond stared back at me. Beck was asking me to marry him.
“I might not deserve you, but I want you to be my wife anyway. I will spend the rest of my life proving how different I can be from the one you knew before. Mae O’Malley, I’ve loved you since the moment I realized a boy could love a girl. Will you consider becoming my wife?”
His wife.
I didn’t know what to say.
It was the least expected question I could have imagined, coming from him. Which was exactly how I knew the answer. It was surprisingly easy.
He was my best friend.
I loved him too, and always had.
The chemistry between us was electric, and my heart raced as I realized the implications of the word I was about to say.
Looking into his eyes, so Beck could see the sincerity of my answer, I said, “Yes. Yes, yes, yes.”
