“I won!”
Dante grinned at her and dropped to one knee to pick it up.
He opened it and held it up.
Belle’s jaw nearly hit the floor. The most beautiful, teardrop-cut emerald sat in a gold band, a baguette diamond on either side of it.
“Belle Davis, will you marry me?”
She started nodding, slowly at first, then faster. Tears pricked the backs of her eyes.
Dante stood and took the ring from the Tiffany box. He’d even known she’d always dreamed of an emerald, not diamonds, for an engagement ring.
“Is that a yes?”
She grabbed his head and kissed him hard. “It sure is.”
He swung her around as the room erupted for a second time. Placing her feet back on the floor, he slid the ring onto her finger and lifted her chin.
“Will you help me build our house, B? The willow will be in our front yard and you’ll be able to look at it as much as you like.”
She bit her lip and nodded, unable to stop the tears welling. She couldn’t believe he’d planned all of this.
Movement behind Dante caught her gaze. Ria had her hand over her mouth, tears sparkling in the fairy lights that hung around the room. Jack and Patrice stood behind her, with Leo, Raph, and Angel. Their massive grins squeezed her heart.
“Looks like we just scored ourselves another sister,” Leo said, his eyes suspiciously bright.
The tears won. Her lip wobbled and her face crumpled. She threw her arms around Dante’s shoulders again, not wanting the entire town to see her fall apart.
“I love you guys so much. I’m finally one of you.”
Dante’s arms tightened. “You always have been,il mio cuore.”
The End
