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We come to a stop, but I don’t open my eyes. I wait for Punky’s command. But he doesn’t speak. We simply stand together, savoring the quiet.
I’m almost asleep on my feet when Punky kisses my cheek. “Ye can open yer eyes.”
I don’t straight away. I appreciate this moment because I sense I will remember this for the rest of my life. Being here with Punky just feels so right.
Opening my eyes slowly, I blink quickly, certain I’m seeing things, but when the view in front of me of twinkling fairy lights and a table filled with delicious food doesn’t disappear, I know my eyesight isn’t deceiving me.
Punky did this. He did it for me.
“It’s beautiful,” I whisper, unable to look away.
The table is set exquisitely, and the candle in the middle adds to the romantic vibe. I wonder when he did all this.
“I owe ye a date,” he says, which touches me as he still remembers the promise he made to me all those nights ago. “I hope I did it right.”
His concern is clear, and it actually makes me love him all the more as he rules with such confidence and no apologies, but when it comes to this, he is so unsure.
“It’s perfect, Puck. I love it. I love you.”
“Say it again.” He nuzzles against my cheek, turning me into mush.
“I love you. So much…but I’d love you even more if you let me eat all that food.”
His husky chuckle threatens to distract me from the spread in front of me and feast on something more delicious—him. But I manage to control myself for now.
He leads us to the table, where he pulls out the chair for me. I accept, smiling up at him. He sits across from me, reaching for the bottle of wine. He pours me a glass while I stare in awe, taking it all in.
“I can’t take all the credit,” he reveals. “Aine helped. Even though she hates my guts.”
I can’t help but laugh. “She’s just protective. She saw what I went through when you were gone. It was my refuge from the real world.”
The mood soon changes when I mention why I came here.
We don’t speak and decide now is a good time to try all the appetizing foods in front of us.
I don’t realize how hungry I am until I take my first bite of food. Eating has been the last thing on my mind, but the moment the Irish stew hits my mouth, it’s the only thing I can focus on. I’m gulping down my third spoonful when I notice Punky looking at me with a huge grin.
“What?” I ask, my mouth full.
Punky shakes his head playfully. “Nothin’. I just like seein’ ye eat.”
“Well, give me food like this every day, and I will continue eating until I pop.”
Something passes over Punky, and just when I’m about to tell him I’m only joking, well, not really, he stuns me into silence when he slides a small blue velvet box across the table. I peer down at it and then quickly back at him.
“Open it.” He smirks when he takes in my stunned expression.
I don’t want to make any assumptions, but my hand trembles as I reach for it.
“If ya don’t like it—”
But I don’t hear another word because the moment I open the box, there is no way I cannot like what I see because it is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
Settled amongst the white silk is a white gold engagement ring. It’s simple—a thin white gold band with a round diamond.
I know Punky is waiting for me to say something, but I am literally rendered speechless because this is too much.
“I know we didn’t discuss the ring ye wanted, but when I saw this, I knew it was perfect for ye. My ma’s ring was similar. I remember that. And when I asked the jeweler about that ring…” He pauses, needing a moment, and when he continues, I understand why. “He told me it was called Cara.”
