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“No.”
I frown and untuck my feet from the blanket, placing them on the floor. Why is he standing there, all awkward, shifting from one foot to the next? Then he kneels at my feet and my heart rate kicks up so fast that I’m suddenly dizzy.
“I was going to do this tonight at dinner, but I think it’s better I ask you here, in our home. I didn’t want to wait because patience isn’t in my DNA.” He reaches into his sweatpants pocket and brings out a small, black velvet box.
I gasp so loudly that he fumbles and drops the box, which rolls a few inches toward my foot.
“Oops. Sorry. I’m really nervous.” He’s trembling as he reaches for the box, then opens it.
Inside there’s a glittering diamond solitaire ring, and I gulp in a breath. The ring is set in platinum, the stone large, but not massive. Simple and elegant. Exactly what I would’ve picked for myself. I can’t tear my eyes from it because it looks like it’s dipped in fairy dust, something from my girlhood dreams.
“Lily, will you marry me?” His voice cracks as he asks the question. “I love you.”
I nod, still unable to speak or breathe.
He exhales. I exhale.
“Oh, thank god.” He’s still shaking as he takes the ring out of the box. “Um, I need your hand.”
“Yes. My hand. Yes. I’ll marry you.” A little nervous laugh slips out of my mouth.
He pushes the ring on my finger and all I can do is slide down to the fluffy white rug on the floor, onto his lap. I wrap my arms around him and we tumble back, onto the floor, kissing.
I sit up while straddling him. “You thought I wouldn’t say yes?”
“I don’t know what I thought. I was so nervous the second I woke up. Couldn’t wait until tonight. And I figured you wouldn’t want a big, showy proposal in public.”
He knows me so well. I extend my hand in the direction of the window, and the diamond shimmers like the morning ocean. Then I reach for Max’s face and cradle it in my hands. His hair is the color of spun gold, and his blue eyes no longer look icy and cool. Instead, they’re warm and familiar.
Like home.
“I love you,” I whisper, leaning down to press my lips to his as the morning sun bathes us in its light.
