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“Last one ,” Mason said as he wheeled the trolley away. I watched him search for the gift and look around as though he had lost it. “I must have misplaced it.” He patted his pockets again. I smiled and rolled my eyes at him. “Oh, here it is.” He knelt in front of me, reaching under the chair that I was sitting in. He brought up a small red velvet box, and I felt my cheeks burn. The breath in my lungs had escaped in a single gasp. “I know we’ve had some crazy moments since the moment we met, and I don’t mean just when we met in the forest seven months ago but when I first laid eyes on you fourteen years ago.” He opened the box and I froze. “I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you do me the honour of being my wife?” My eyes fluttered, and at first, all I did was stare at this huge diamond. I couldn’t speak. All I could do was tell myself to breathe: take a breath before you pass out in front of everyone.
Was Mason crazy? I wasn’t ready to marry him— or anyone, for that matter. We’d only been dating for five months.
Panic-stricken, I started to trace back to all the times I had never returned his affection. Whenever he said “I love you,” I said nothing in return.
Why did he want to marry me?
Everyone sat waiting in anticipation for my answer; it was nerve-racking. Mason and I had never discussed getting married. He had never even mentioned anything about getting engaged. I glanced up and saw in the mirror on the wall the happy look on my mother’s face, and closed my eyes, letting the tears pour from my eyes. The pressure of everyone’s stare became overwhelming, and I didn’t want to embarrass him in front of his family and friends.
“Yes,” I replied. I heard Mason sigh. Then his hands cupped my face. His lips pressed against mine and his body shook—or was that mine? Then he slipped the ring on my finger kissing me.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and cried. When he finally stood, he pulled me up with him and everyone started snapping pictures. My mother ran over and hugged me.
“Congratulations, baby,” she said.
“Thanks,” I said, breathless.
“It was hard to keep it a secret.” She giggled as she let me go.
“You knew?” I gasped. This was too much. Why would she keep this from me? I thought she knew me better than that.
“Well, yes, of course. He came to see me, and since your father isn’t here, he asked for my blessing,” she replied.
“Oh.” I replied, looking at my hand.
“Are you not happy about his proposal?” she whispered. I shrugged, hol
ding back the tears. She took my hands in hers and pulled me close. “It’s okay, sweetheart. You have time.”
“Do I?” I replied. “He sprung this on me. I had no idea this was something he wanted. I feel like I don’t know him,” I cried in her ear.
“Hush, dear. We’ll talk about it later.” She kissed my cheek, and wiped my tears. Then everyone lined up to congratulate us. I put on my best smile and hugged accordingly. I looked around the room as the last couple that hugged me walked up to Mason, and then I saw Nick. His expression showed just as much shock as mine. Cassie’s voice broke me out of my stare.
“Who would have thought that Mason would be the one to settle you down?” Cassie joked. “I’m so happy for you, the both of you. Mason deserves someone who will love him unconditionally despite his flaws.” She nudged Mason.
“Thanks.” He nudged her back. Nick was gone when I looked up again. He had been the only one to not congratulate us.
When everyone retired to the lounge for coffee and tea, I went looking for Nick. I found him outside on the back patio. He was leaning over the iron railing.
“I really appreciate the book ,” I said, slowly walking towards him. “I never expected anything, let alone that.” My hand delicately slid up his back to his shoulder.
“I knew you would ,” he croaked. The strain in his voice was all too familiar. I inhaled deeply, and then slowly let out my breath as I moved closer.
“I also noticed that out of everyone, you never congratulated us.” My smile thinned. “I would have thought that by now we would have gotten past the awkwardness.”
Nick stood upright, slowly turning to face me. “I know . . . I’m sorry—I never meant to—”
“It’s fine. I just don’t want it to always be awkward,” I replied.
“It’s good.” He forced a smile.
“I really hope so because if we’re going to be family—”
“I promise, Lauren. It is fine.” He smiled. He moved in to hug me. But it wasn’t his usual squeeze, like he-never-wanted-to-let-go sort of hug. It was aloof and cold. “I’m happy for you.” He forced another smile, and then backed away.
“Where’s Stacey?” I asked, looking back through the glass patio door.
“We—uh, broke up,” he said, scratching the side of his head.
