We end up parking a ten-minute walk from the place because it's so busy. My stomach was already rumbling, but as soon as we arrive and smell the food, it goes into overdrive. We don't waste any time, jumping in line to get a slice from the first stall.
After about the fourth different slice, I'm full, but Graham still wants more.
He walks us to a quieter area off to the side where there aren't as many people around. “Okay, you wait right here. I'm gonna go grab another slice or two and I'll be back in a minute.”
“Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere. Just going to wait for my food to go down.” I pat my stomach and then wave him off.
I keep seeing all of these cute couples together, and it's been making me miss Cam even more. I wish he was here with me.
One more day.
That's what I keep telling myself over and over.
It took another month for us to officially get back together after I sprained my ankle. Every single day he would turn up at either my apartment or the hospital with food or more orchids or simply to check if I needed anything, and he never expected anything in return. Each day I fell in love with him a little more until finally, I couldn't stand us not being together.
We've both continued to grow since then, and things between us have been better than ever. Sure, we still have our ups and downs, but now we deal with whatever comes along in a much healthier way.
I still get attached to my patients way too easily and I don't think that'll ever change. And Cam still has a penchant for reacting without thinking, but it's mainly in a possessive way.
Several minutes pass, with Graham still not returning. He probably went to one of the stalls that had a longer line. Typical. I blow out an annoyed breath and shift my bag higher. I feel like I need to sit down.
A second later, I feel someone tapping on my shoulder. “Excuse me. I think you dropped this.”
I look over my shoulder and don't see anyone at first, but then once I fully turn around, my hand flies up to my mouth in surprise while my heart starts galloping in my chest.
There is Cam, kneeling on the ground with a little velvet box held up in his hand.
“Yes,” I blurt out.
Cam's lips curve up into a smile, and I almost melt on the spot. “I didn't even ask you yet.”
“Sorry.” I smile through some happy tears. “Go ahead.”
“Thanks.” Grabbing one of my hands, he clears his throat and begins. “Jasmine. The love of my life. My best friend. My partner. The woman who saved me. Will you do the honor of becoming my wife?”
It's short and to the point, and I wouldn't want it any other way.
A tear trickles down my cheek, and I swipe it away before nodding. “Yes. Yes, I will marry you, Campbell. I love you so much.” I drop down and wrap my arms around him, almost causing us both to fall over.
“I love you, too,” he whispers in my ear. Then, leaning back, he tugs my left hand down from around his neck and slides on the gorgeous oval-cut diamond ring. “Perfect ring for my perfect woman.” Then, with narrowed eyes, he adds, “Now all of those fuckers who think they have a chance with you will know you're taken.”
Laughter tumbles out of me, and I feel so happy I could burst. It takes a moment for me to realize that there are sounds of clapping and whistling going on around us, and I finally look around to see some passersby have stopped to cheer. Graham stands there, too, with a shit-eating grin on his face andnopizza in his hands. I guess he was in on it the whole time.
“What happened to the dinner you were supposed to go to tonight?” I ask.
He shrugs. “I sort of made that up.”
I drop my head into the crook of his neck, my smile so wide my cheeks are starting to ache. I feel so elated right now for two reasons. I wonder how he'll take my news?
EXTENDED EPILOGUE
CAMPBELL – 4 YEARS LATER
Ivy pulls my face down and plants a kiss on my cheek. “I love you, daddy.”
My heart swells to at least twice its size as I stare down at the big chocolate-colored eyes of my three-and-half-year-old daughter. “I love you, too, princess. Goodnight.”
Kids were never in any future I saw before Jasmine. But after we got back together, new futures started taking shape in my mind, knocking everything I once believed to be certain out of place. I started getting curious about what our kid would look like if we were to have one, and then I started picturing her belly swollen with my baby and found it to be a turn-on.
