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Conor gives my hand a gentle squeeze and I focus back on him. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of the way his seafoam green eyes take me in. I never really let myself believe that he could look at me like he is now—full of love and devotion—because I didn’t want to get my hopes up.
“Saoirse,” he begins, his voice cracking and causing him to clear his throat before he tries again, “I should take you somewhere romantic and do this, but I can’t wait.” My heart starts to pound in my chest as he cups my cheek with one of his large hands. It always makes me feel so cherished when he does it and I find myself leaning into his touch. “I made a promise to your brother that I wouldn’t put an engagement ring on your finger until after you finish school.”
My mouth drops open, and indignation fills me. “What?” I narrow my eyes at him and feel myself starting to seethe. “That is not something my brother,” I sneer the last two words, “gets to decide. It’s only up to us.”
“I agree with him,” his voice is gentle and soothing, but it batters against the fire in my veins. “Your education has always been important to you, and I want to support you. I also want you to know how much you mean to me and that I’m promising you that ring. One day.”
I open my mouth to say something. I don’t even know what, but something. Before I can get myself together, Conor’s mouth meets mine and I melt against him.
“I can’t give you an engagement ring, but I can give you this,” his words are spoken against my lips, his hot breath making me shudder and wishing we weren’t out in public right now.
He smirks down at me before pulling something out of his pocket and holding it up for me to see. It’s a beautiful Claddagh ring, one with small diamonds on the band and in the heart. I gasp as I look at it, knowing the deep meaning of it.
“This is my promise to you. One day I’ll slide an engagement ring on your finger that fits with this one. Can I make this vow to you? Will you accept it?”
“Always,” I murmur and hold up my left hand for him.
It’s not an engagement ring, but he still slides the ring on with the heart facing inward and the symbolism isn’t lost on me.
I wrap my hand around his neck and pull my man down to me, pouring everything he makes me feel into the kiss. Tomorrow, we go home, and our lives really begin.
In the rubble of our mistakes, we have found a solid foundation. I can’t wait to see the life we build together.
