I blink at him, confused, but rise to my feet.
We’re facing each other now, Connor’s eyes searching mine with an intensity that makes my breath catch. Behind him, I see Maya pull out her phone and point it at us.
What the hell?
“What’s going on?” I ask, my voice sounding weak.
Connor takes a deep breath.
“Noah,” he says for the third time, and then, to my complete shock, he drops to one knee in front of me.
The world stops.
My lungs stop working. My brain freezes, every thought dissolving into static except one.
Oh my God.
“Noah Caldwell,” Connor says, his voice even now despite the slight tremor in his hands. “From the moment we met in that cardboard apartment building, I think some part of me already knew you were going to be trouble.”
A laugh breaks out of me, helpless and shaky, half-swallowed by the tears already climbing up my throat.
Connor’s mouth curves for half a second before his expression softens again.
“And every day since then has only made me fall harder,” he continues.
I’m dreaming. I must be dreaming. This can’t be happening.
“You’re the kindest person I know,” Connor says, reaching into his pocket. “You make me laugh more than anyone. You care so much about every tiny little thing. And even when it scares you, somehow you still keep showing up for everyone.” His fingers close around a small velvet box. “You make me happier than I ever thought I could be. You gave me a life I didn’t even know I wanted until I had it with you.”
Tears are streaming down my face now. I can feel them hot on my cheeks, but I can’t move to wipe them away. Can’t move at all, frozen in disbelief and too much emotion.
“I want to spend the rest of my life with you,” Connor says, opening the box to reveal a platinum ring, sleek andbeautiful, with a thin line of diamonds catching the light. “I want to wake up next to you every morning and fall asleep with you every night. I want to fight over whose turn it is to walk Pumpkin in the rain and argue about loading the dishwasher the right way.”
A sob escapes me, and I cover my mouth with both hands.
I’m vaguely aware of Mom crying somewhere behind me, of Dad going suspiciously quiet, of Maya sniffling as she films everything, and of Pumpkin watching us, suddenly still.
But mostly I’m aware of Connor.
My fake boyfriend for one weekend. My real boyfriend for the last year and a half. The man on one knee in front of me, asking me for forever.
Looking up at me with so much love I can barely stand it.
“Noah Caldwell,” he says, his voice breaking slightly, “will you marry me?”
Time stretches, suspended in this perfect moment.
I try to speak, but nothing comes out. I nod frantically instead, tears blurring my vision, and finally manage to choke out, “Yes. God, yes.”
Connor’s face breaks into the smile I fell in love with, relief and joy transforming his features. He slides the ring onto my finger—it fits perfectly—and then he’s standing, pulling me into his arms. I’m still crying, probably getting tears and snot all over his shoulder, but I can’t seem to stop.
“I love you,” I manage to gasp between sobs. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too,” Connor murmurs against my hair, his arms tight around me.
Then he kisses me, soft and sweet and perfect, his hand warm against my tear-streaked cheek.
The moment is broken by a collective squeal from my family, who apparently can’t contain themselves any longer. Suddenly we’re surrounded—Mom hugging us both, tears streaming down her face; Dad clapping Connor on the back with suspiciously misty eyes; Maya still filming, full-on crying now, her free hand pressed to her mouth.
