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“Sweetheart, you're going to be the belle of the ball.”

His rough voice made my stomach flutter. After all our time together, he could still make me feel like a teenager with her first crush.

Graham leaned across the center console and cupped my face in his big hands. His thumbs traced across my cheekbones as he studied my face like he was memorizing it.

“What are you thinking about?” I asked.

“How lucky I got.”

“I'm the lucky one.”

He kissed me then, soft and sweet at first, then deeper when I opened for him. His tongue traced the seam of my lips before sliding inside to tangle with mine. I melted into him, my hands fisting in his black button-down shirt.

When he pulled back, we were both breathing hard.

“If you keep kissing me like that, we're never going to make it inside.”

Graham chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest. “Trust me, we need to get in there. This party won't wait, and you’re the guest of honor.”

He climbed out of the truck and jogged around to open my door. His hands spanned my waist as he lifted me down from the high seat, letting my body slide against his until my boots touched the gravel.

“Ready?”

I nodded, though nervous butterflies danced in my stomach. Something was up. Graham had been acting strange all week, secretive phone calls and mysterious errands. Even Miss Laverne had given me a knowing look when I’d gone to her house to help with her roses.

We walked hand in hand down the sidewalk of the town square. We had to park over a block because so many cars were clustered around the diner. As we got close, I could hear laughter and music from inside.

Graham opened the door, and the bell jingled like normal, letting everyone know that someone had arrived. I stepped inside and stopped so abruptly that Graham bumped into my back.

The diner had been transformed. White lights were strung along the walls, casting everything in a warm glow. Someone had brought in the jukebox from Maverick’s Bar and Grill, and every table was covered in white linens. But none of that was what made my breath catch.

It was the people.

Roxie stood near the bar with Hart, both of them grinning at me like they knew a secret. Ava and her husband Brent were seated near the window, but Ava was practically bouncing in her seat with excitement. Miss Laverne sat at a table with the Sheriff, both of them beaming in my direction. Simon and Trenda waved from across the room where they stood with Roan and Lisa.

Of course, Little Grandma and Miss Gladiola were seated in the middle of the room, so that everyone could spend time with them. I saw my parents at another coveted table. My mom’s face was filled with love, while my dad was in deep conversation with Graham’s dad. That made my heart swell.

Seth stood near the back wall, his arm wrapped around a gorgeous redhead. When he spotted me, his familiar grin spread across his face.

Randy leaned against the lunch counter, looking uncomfortable in his dress shirt but smiling nonetheless.

Emmie was right near the hostess stand, practically bouncing with excitement. I wanted a hug from her, but I was too filled with emotion. I pressed my face against Graham's chest, breathing in his familiar scent while I tried to process what I was seeing.

“How?” I looked up at him with tears already spilling down my cheeks. “Why? When?”

Graham's hands trembled as he cupped my face, wiping away the tears with his thumbs. The confident, unshakeable Navy SEAL looked nervous for the first time since I'd known him.

“Joy Magill.”

His voice carried across the suddenly quiet room as he slowly dropped to one knee in front of me. Every conversation stopped. Every eye in the place focused on us.

My hands flew to my mouth as he pulled out a small velvet box.

“Seven months ago, I walked into Miss Laverne’s kitchen and saw you, and like lightning, my life changed forever. You taught me the meaning of happiness. You taught me that love wasn't something I had to earn or prove myself worthy of. Instead, it was a gift freely given.” His voice grew stronger with each word. “You’ve made every single day better than the day before.”

The ring inside the box was perfect. A simple solitaire diamond on a white gold band, classic and elegant without being flashy. Exactly what I would have chosen for myself.

“Joy, I've spent the last month asking everyone in your family for permission to marry you. Your dad threatened to shoot me if I ever hurt you. Your mom made me promise to give you babies. And Little Grandma told me I better treat you like the treasure you are.”