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Lifting my brows, I stepped closer to him. “What are you doing anyway?”
Just as I said that, he got down on his knee and revealed what was behind his back; it was the small black box from his sock drawer.
Jensen’s smile warmed my heart. “I know you already said yes,” he began, “but I at least wanted to give it to you the right way.” He nodded out toward the dock. “My first thought was that I’d do it out there as we watched the sunset, but I could just see the ring slipping out of my fingers and into the water.”
“Yeah, that wouldn’t be good,” I laughed.
Jensen took a deep breath and opened the box, revealing a stunning princess-cut diamond ring. The light of the candles seemed to dance across the diamond, making it shine even brighter.
“Everleigh,” he murmured, his eyes never leaving mine, “you’ve made me happier these past few months than I’ve ever been. I can’t imagine what life will be like with you as my wife, but I know it will be amazing. Are you sure you want to be with me for the rest of your life?”
Tears welled in my eyes as I nodded my head, unable to speak. There was nothing I wanted more. Jensen pulled the ring out of the box and placed it on my finger; it fit perfectly. He stood up and pulled me into a tight embrace.
I buried my face in his chest, feeling the warmth of his body seep into mine.
“I love you so much,” he whispered.
“I love you, too,” I replied, my voice muffled.
We stayed that way for a few moments, lost in each other’s embrace. I didn’t want to let him go. The good thing was that I didn’t have to.
30
EVERLEIGH
TWO WEEKS LATER
The sand felt warm and wet between my toes as Jensen, and I walked down to the water’s edge. A thunderstorm had just passed, leaving with it the smell of rain and a beautiful rainbow arched across the sky. It was the perfect evening for a stroll on the beach. Jensen was by my side holding my right hand, and my engagement ring was on the other, reminding me that I was about to become his wife. So much had happened in the past two weeks that I couldn’t believe how much time had flown by.
I had to go to Boston to perform a few surgeries, and they went well. While I was there, Nyla and I went to our favorite sushi restaurant, and I asked her to be my maid of honor. Of course, she said yes, and we celebrated by drinking apple martinis while packing up most of my things at the apartment. All I had to do now was hire a moving company to load everything up and transport it to Oak Island.
Jensen and I stood along the shoreline, our toes buried in the sand as we watched the waves crash against the shore. Reflections of the setting sun illuminated the ocean’s surface with a warm orange hue.
“Have you figured out where you want to get married?” Jensen asked.
The thought made me smile. I’d be happy doing it in a parking lot somewhere if it meant I could call him my husband. However, it was going to be our wedding day and I wanted it to be special. It turned out there was a place that came to mind.
“Airlie Gardens,” I replied, turning to face him.
Jensen smiled. “Is that because of the coordinates hidden in your grandmother’s box?”
I shrugged. “It’s not theonlyreason. I do love that place. It’s beautiful and it was obviously special to my grandmother.”
Sadly, Airlie Gardens was a very popular place which meant they most likely didn’t have an open weekend in the next two months for us to have our wedding.
“But,” I said, wrapping my arms around his neck while he encircled his around my waist, “I would be happy marrying you right here on this beach.”
Jensen grinned. “I’ll marry you anywhere.”
A thrill of excitement raced through me. “Then it’s settled,” I said, pressing my lips to his. “We’re going to have a small ceremony right out here, by Hide Away by the Sea.”
Jensen peered over at my grandmother’s blue cottage and smiled. “I think here is perfect. It’ll be like having your grandmother with us.”
Tears stung my eyes and I nodded. “Exactly.”
Jensen pulled me in tighter to his body. “When do you want to do this?”
I’d already had the date set in my mind. “October 27th,” I answered.
