Page 105 of What Should Have Been Ours

I can’t believe I’m engaged.

The thought keeps playing on a loop in my mind like it hasn’t fully sunk in yet. Like I’m still trying to convince myself it’s real.

I glance down at the ring on my finger, twisting it gently, feeling its weight, feeling his love wrapped around me.

I had no clue he was going through all this work secretly to make this happen. And that seems to make it even more special. Even while fighting for his life, he was thinking about a forever with me.

I turn my head just in time for Kinsley to grab me, squealing, and pulling me into a tight hug. “Gabrielle! You’re getting married!”

A laugh bubbles up in my throat as I hug her back, and suddenly, we’re both jumping up and down, giggling like we’re teenagers.

Wes groans. “The estrogen is so loud.”

Kinsley smacks his arm without missing a beat. “Shut up, you’re just jealous because no woman is ever going to marry you.”

Wes smirks, raising a brow. “Maybe one day you will.”

The entire room goes silent.

Kinsley freezes, eyes slightly widened.

I blink, shifting my gaze between them, and when I glance at Cam, he’s looking at me with the same wide-eyed, confused expression I’m giving him.

Wes looks around at all of us before scoffing, running a hand through his hair. “Whatttt? I’m joking.”

Cam and I exchange another glance, smirking.

Yeah, right.

The energy in the room shifts back to excitement, everyone reliving the proposal, hugging me, hugging Cam.

His parents, my mom, Wes, and Kinsley all take turns making sure we know just how happy they are for us. But as the night winds down, so does the high.

Cam’s parents hug me tightly before they leave, promising they’ll be back tomorrow. My mom squeezes my hands, giving me a look only a mother can before she kisses my forehead and follows them.

When I shut the front door, I exhale, pressing my back against the wood.

It’s quiet now. Just me and Cam, and when I turn my head, I find him sprawled on the couch, one arm draped lazily over the back, his long legs stretched out in front of him. There’s a basketball game playing on the TV, but he’s not paying attention to it. He’s watching me.

“Still shocked?” he asks, amusement laced in his tone.

I push off the door, walking toward him. “Maybe a little.”

His lips twitch up into a smirk as he watches me approach, and when I get close enough, he pulls me into his lap. His hands find the curve of my waist where they’ve always fit so perfectly, as if my body was designed to be held by him.

I wrap my arms around his neck. “You really caught me off guard tonight, you know.”

He hums, tilting his head up at me. “Good. You always were so hard to surprise. You always knew my next move before I even knew I was going to make it.”

I shake my head, my fingers sliding down to trace the sharp line of his jaw. “I still can’t believe that while you were going through everything in the hospital, you were planning this too.”

“Forever with you has always been the plan, Gabrielle.”

My heart swells as Cam shifts, adjusting his hold on me before suddenly standing, lifting me in his arms like I weigh nothing. I laugh, clinging to his shoulders and shifting to wrap my legs around his waist as he walks us toward the kitchen. Gently, he places me on the island counter, standing between my legs.

He grips my hips, his thumbs stroking the sides, his gaze burning into mine. “I can’t wait to make you Mrs. Gabrielle Hayes.”

I chuckle, shaking my head. “You’re so eager to, huh?”