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“Ooh!” I stride forward and touch one of the ornaments. “Did you buy these from the fair?”
“Yep.”
“Huh, I completely missed them,” I say, picking the ornament off the branch. “They’re very pretty, though.”
“Go on,” Kai urges. “Open it up.”
Looking down, I unscrew the top half and stare at a fresh red rose. A smile comes onto my lips as I pick it up and smell the addictive fragrance. “Thanks,” I say, looking over at my mates. “It’s so damn romantic to receive flowers like this.”
Jacob, Cole, and Kai glance at each other and grin. Their excitement tells me it was a group effort to create this surprise for me.
“Go ahead and try the others,” Cole says. “We’ve got more in store for you.”
One by one, I proceed to open the rest of the ornaments.
More roses and foil-wrapped truffles are revealed to me, making me happier and more excited. The child in me comes to the surface, eagerly opening each of the ornaments to see what surprise it’s hiding within it.
I don’t even look at my mates when I open the last ornament, hopeful for another sphere full of chocolates.Stop being so greedy, Winter, I chide myself as I unscrew the sphere.Roses are just as sweet as these lovely sweets!
For a moment, I stare at the nearly empty sphere in my hand. There are neither roses nor chocolates in this one. Just a solitary ring that clatters against the glass.
Blinking slowly, I pick up the ring. A gasp escapes me as the jewel on the top sparkles so brightly that I feel nearly blinded by it.
I turn the ring over, appreciating the intricate design that’s carved on the sides. Slowly, very slowly, I realize that it’s not an ordinary jewel.
It’s an engagement ring!
I turn to look toward Jacob and find him and his brothers on their knees before me. My heart pounds in my chest while my mind processes what’s happening.
“The stars shine brighter when I’m with you,” Kai says in a voice that’s brimming with sincerity. “The songs start making sense, the world turns colorful, and all I want to do is dance with you in my arms. Will you be my forever mate and let me be your partner for the rest of my life?”
My heart beats harder, bringing up waves of bittersweet emotions. Tears well up in my eyes as I look at Kai.
“Winter?” he whispers.
Tears run down my cheeks as I nod. I want to tell him YES in so many different words but none come to my lips.
“I’m going to need a vocal affirmation, darling,” he says with a nervous chuckle.
Still nodding hard, I utter the word.
The moment my “yes” leaves my mouth, Kai is on his feet and pulling me into a kiss. His sweet orange scent wraps around me, making me feel happier than I’ve ever been.
Someone coughs loudly, breaking us apart.
“Oops! Sorry, I forgot you guys were still waiting for your turns,” Kai says, grinning cheekily. He pecks my lips and goes to stand next to Cole.
I turn my attention to Cole next.
“Winter, you’re the friend and soulmate I’ve been waiting for all my life,” Cole says, his voice trembling with emotion. “I love to see the person that I am through your eyes. Without you, my life was gray and cold. Your parents may have named you Winter, but to me, you’re spring. You color my life and make me the happiest man on this planet. Winter Brown, will you be my forever mate?”
I start to say “yes” when I notice his trembling hands. He’s trying to hold in his emotions but I know what he’s feeling.
Dropping to my knees, I hold his hands in mine. “I’ll always be yours,” I promise him before pressing my lips to his.
Cole wraps his arms around me in a tight hug as he deepens the kiss. He nearly chokes me but I hold onto him, refusing to let him go. I want him to know I love him to the depths of my heart and the only way to make him understand that is to kiss him with a passion that equals his.
I’m a breathless mess by the time we separate. He wipes a tear from my cheek and helps me to my feet.
