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“You said after cake.”
“Well, we just sang. We haven’t cut the cake yet,” I reminded him.
“What’s going on?” Zoe wondered.
“Carter has something he wants to ask you,” Rex supplied.
“No, I… I’m going to wait until—”
“What’s going on, guys?” Sasha wondered. Her question brought every eye in the room over in our direction.
“Nothing, I—”
“Everything okay, man?” Kieran asked. “You look a little green.”
“Everything’s fine,” I said. “Everyone go… get a drink or something.”
But no one did. All eyes were on me and Zoe.
“Carter, what’s going on?” Zoe asked, eyes narrowed. She looked worried, which was the exact opposite of what I wanted right now. “Whatever you want to tell me, you can do it now.”
I sighed. I looked over at Rex and he grinned.
“So… we’re doing it now?” Rex asked.
“I… I think so.”
Without letting myself think twice, I took Zoe’s hand and slid down on one knee. Her eyes went wide. Several people in the room gasped audibly.
“Zoe, I…”
“Carter, are you really doing this?” Zoe whispered.
“I… I think I am,” I whispered back. I looked up and she had tears in her eyes. “Zoe Laster, I’ve never… I mean… Everything with you is…” I took a deep breath. “Damn, I probably should have rehearsed this part.”
“It’s okay. Keep going.”
“Zoe, I… I never could have predicted that when you and Rex moved in next door, that my whole life would change. That the things I thought were important could change. Now when I picture the rest of my life, both of you are in it,” I told her, my words coming out awkwardly, but easily. “I didn’t think I’d ever be ready to be the man you needed. But… I am now.”
I patted my pocket only to remember that Rex was holding the small, velvet ring box. He handed it over and I opened it, presenting Zoe with the engraved diamond ring I’d picked out.
“And… I promise to always be. Every day. For as long as you’ll let me.” My voice was hoarse. Barely a whisper. I wasn’t normally a nervous guy, but to have every eye in the room watching this was killing me.
But as Zoe sank down to the floor with me, helping me to my feet, it was all worthwhile.
“Yes,” she whispered.
“I didn’t—”
“Sorry. Go ahead.”
“Zoe Laster, will you marry me?”
“Yes,” she answered, louder this time. “Yes, I will marry you, Carter.”
Everyone around us cheered, but I heard none of it. I cupped Zoe’s face in my hands and kissed her lips until everything around us faded away. When the kiss broke, I held her close, not wanting to let go of my girl yet.
My fiancée. And, soon enough, my wife.
