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“See how many people love you?” I say softly. “This is how many people chose you, Val Andrews.”
He blinks away emotion as his focus flickers back to me. “I… thank you. I can’t believe this.”
“Well, believe it.” I settle my cheek against his chest again. “And you’re really in for a surprise when you see the mound of gifts people brought, even though I told them not to.”
“This is amazing, but…”
My heart sinks. “But what?”
He gently tugs my hair to see my face again. “I already had plans today.”
I give him a look, and he returns a sheepish smile.
“Well, you’re going to have to cancel them.”
He shakes his head. “Sorry. Can’t. I promised your dad.”
I step back. “What? You have to. All these people…”
He sighs and scoops the tote off the ground.
“Dad! You knew about this! Tell him,” I demand, glaring at my father. That traitor just shrugs.
“Hey, I’m not getting in the middle of a lovers’ quarrel.”
“Guess we’ll just have to do this in front of everyone else,” Val says.
“Do what?”
He pulls out a small blue box and… oh my gosh!
Tears spring to my eyes as I gasp and cover my mouth. No way! Can’t be!
Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh.
His soft laugh confirms it, and when I see the beam on Dad’s face as he places his hand on Val’s shoulder, there’s no point trying to stop the sob-fest.
Val clears his throat and searches my eyes.
“Larinda Scott, I planned to do this in private.” His tone is quiet but firm. “There’s so much I wanted to say to you, but I guess one of the things I love most about us is that we don’t have to say things. It’s always been that way with us.”
I can’t breathe as he opens the box to reveal the most gorgeous ring I’ve ever seen. Tiny gems fan from left to right, starting at an almost invisible size and stacking to a width of just over a centimeter by the end. It’s delicate but complex, and completely stunning. The shape and way the gems sparkle in the light make them look like a comet… or shooting star… or…
A ray of sunlight.
More tears fall when I interpret the unconventional design. It’s perfect. Of course it’s perfect. It’s Val.
“From the moment your radiant light burst into my shadows, I knew I would never find another woman like you. I would never love someone, cherish someone, or revere someone the way I would if you chose me, even though it seemed impossible. I still can’t believe you did, but in front of all these witnesses, I want to make it clear I will always choose you too. Larinda Scott, please do me the honor of not being my wife.”
I freeze and drop my hands. What did he just say? Did I hear him wrong? Did he say it wrong?
A murmur spreads over the crowd, confirming my fears that he said what I think he said. I don’t understand. Why would he?—
“Say no,” Paige whispers, leaning in. When I glance over, her own cheeks are wet with tears. She’s smiling too. “He wants you to say no.”
What? Why?
My gaze snaps back to Val who’s now grinning. What is going on?
