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“I’ll make sure everyone clears out then.” She gives me a one-armed hug that I return. I’m not usually the hugging type, but Poppy is a mother figure to Juliette and has rooted for us from the start, so I make an exception for her. “You be good to my girl now,” she says, but there’s no threat in her tone. She knows how much I love Juliette.
“Yes, ma’am.”
She pats my back before walking off to shoo away the remaining residents. I’m left alone with my thoughts as I place items on the last table remaining. Anxiety swirls in my stomach and makes my heart pound. I’m not nervous that Juliette will say no, but I am nervous that this won’t be as perfect as I hope.
Maverick: You got this, man.
I glance down at the text into the group chat. My whole family knows that tonight is the night. Before I can respond, more messages roll in.
Grayson: Yeah, don’t sweat it. She can’t say no to a face like y(ours).
Levi: Grayson, why do you make everything about the fact that you’re twins?
Grayson: It’s a twin thing, you wouldn’t get it.
I laugh at their bickering, shaking my head. Even though I usually hate the group chat blowing my phone up, it’s nice to have a laugh today.
I spot MJ’s SUV pulling into the drive and take a deep breath, pocketing my phone. Here we go.
Juliette Monroe
Adrian is going to propose this evening. I’ve known for a week now, and hanging out with MJ the past few hours just confirmed it. The Carter family is well versed in schooling their emotions, but they weren’t able to fool me.
Butterflies fill my stomach as I step out of MJ’s SUV. She tried to hide the fact that our hang out was meant to get me away from Peach Hollow, but the way she kept checking her phone and the looks she gave me when she thought I wasn’t paying attention tipped me off.
I spot the trees sparkling in the setting sun right away. My breath catches in my throat at how beautiful it is. I hear a car door open and shut.
“What’s that down there by the lake?” MJ asks in an inconspicuous tone that makes me laugh.
“I knew he was proposing today.” Tears burn my eyes as I glance over at her. “Thank you for helping.”
“Of course you did,” she laughs. “I told him there was no use in trying to surprise you. I’m supposed to tell you to go down to the bench you two sit at, then walk the trail from there.”
“Okay,” I whisper. She hugs my shoulders then hops back in her car.
I slowly make my way down to the lake, taking in the gorgeous scenery. Even though I’ve lived here for years now, I’ve never quite gotten over the beauty of this place. And the twinkle lights only add to the magic.
There’s a table by my usual bench, with a photo of us smiling on the beach in June, along with a sunflower and a note.
Jules,
I’ve set up tables for you around the lake. Stop at each one, take a sunflower, then meet me under the dogwood tree.
I love you,
Sunshine
My eyes are already full of tears as I grasp the first sunflower stem. When I look around the lake, I spot Adrian waiting for me. I want to run to him, but I also don’t want this moment to end.
I make my way to the next table. The note there makes my breath catch.
“In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.” -Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen
I collect the flower and walk to the next table, convinced I’m going to be a puddle of tears by the time I reach Adrian.
“Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night.” -Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare
Another flower, another shaky step in the direction of the love of my life.
