Once we return to my and Emily’s house, we don’t take long to set up the food on the patio out back. It’s become something of a tradition to host a dinner here once a week, and we’ve grown to be quite the crowd, averaging ten to twelve people. Today there are at least thirty of us, because of course Emily invited over Ryan’s employees. He quit the garden center a month ago, and he’s already started transforming the Orchid. The new location has brought in a ton of new customers, and the workshops are super popular with people from all over the state.
“Hey, Jack. Why is everyone here today? I’m loving the lively crowd we have, but normally it’s just us and friends for barbeque night…”
I scratch my neck. “Yeah. Uh, you are so right.”
He narrows his eyes. “And you are being so sus. What’s going on?”
Someone please save me! I suddenly need a moment or ten.
Emily clinks a glass with a spoon to get everyone’s attention just then, saving me from my panic attack. “Everyone! Before we dig in, Jack has something to say!” she announces, flashing me a shit-eating grin.Or not.
I roll my eyes and take a deep breath. Okay, I guess this is as good an opportunity as any. You got this, Jack.
Making eye contact with Ryan, who looks like a heavenly being with that backdrop of trellises with blooming clematis behind him, I produce the white box out of my pocket.
“Oh, shit!” he gasps, his face lighting up with a radiant smile. “You. Are. Not.”
“I most definitely am,” I counter and go down on one knee. Clearing my throat, I say loud and clear, “Ryan, you are the most amazing man I have ever met in my life. You are beautiful, you have a dorky sense of humor just like me, you accept me for the idiot I am and make me want to be better. You are passionate about what you do, if a little obsessed, and your ambitions inspire me to aim higher and work harder.” I pop the lid open and take a deep breath, meeting his mesmerizing green eyes. There is so much emotion in them, so much love and acceptance that my chest suddenly feels too tight in the best way. “Ryan Sherwood, will you marry me?”
He gives me a hard, long look and drums his fingers along his chin. “Yes, but only if we can have a jungle-inspired wedding,” he deadpans and dives for me, knocking me onto my ass on the grass.
Everyone is laughing as his lips meet mine for a passionate R-18 kiss. But they don’t mind, and neither do I. I love this man, and I want the entire world to know that he’s mine.
Once we are done making out, we both stand. I slip the ring around his finger and stare at it for a few heartbeats. It’s so perfect. He is, we are.
“Ahem,” he clears his throat, grinning from ear to ear as he takes out a small brown pouch. “I can’t believe you beat me to it.”
He takes a ring out of the pouch and holds it up in his palm, still radiant like the sun. No way. Was he planning to propose, too? As if this day couldn’t get more perfect after he said yes.
“Ryan,” I laugh, urging him to put the ring on me. “Don’t tell me you were going to propose to me.”
He blows air out of his nose, pretending to be grumpy. “You beat me to it this time, Jack Keller, but I’ll get you next time!”
A shiver races down my spine. This is the best, I’m so happy. I kiss his chin. “I can’t wait.”
I don’t know what ‘next time’ entails exactly, but I’m looking forward to whatever surprise my husband-to-be has in store for me.
