Jack took both my hands in his, his thumbs caressing my palms. His eyes, dark and intense, held mine. “I meant every word on every single Post-it in this room, Mia. But that blue one? That’s the most important question I’ll ever ask.”
My breath caught as Jack reached forward, his fingers finding the delicate chain around my neck. The sapphire ring gleamed as he gently lifted it from beneath my collar.
“This ring was never supposed to be for pretend,” he said softly, carefully unclasping the necklace. “Even when I bought it, some part of me knew it was real. That we were real.”
He slid it free from the chain, and held it between us. The same ring I’d worn while playing at being engaged, but now it meant something entirely different. Something true.
“Mia Harris, I love everything about you. Your kindness, your determination, your ridiculous sweet tooth, the way you fight for what you believe in. Will you marry me? For real this time?”
My vision blurred with tears as I nodded, unable to speak for a moment. When I found my voice, it was barely a whisper. “Yes. Of course, yes.”
Jack slid the ring onto my finger. What had once been pretend now felt like the most real thing in my world.
His eyes, usually so guarded, shone with unmasked emotion. “You’ve just made me the happiest man in the world.”
“I’m happier than I ever thought possible. Kiss me, Jack.”
He did and I knew with absolute certainty that this was where I belonged. In this ridiculous Post-it covered office, in the arms of a man who had seen all of me and loved me anyway.
Love wasn’t about grand gestures or perfect timing, though Jack had obviously mastered both. It was about finding the person who made you feel brave enough to be exactly who you are.
And I’d found mine. “I love you, Jack.”
“I love you, too, Mia.”
EPILOGUE
MIA
Emily was crying again.
Not full ugly-crying, just little, misty, “my best friend is getting married and I forgot waterproof mascara” crying. Which, for her, was basically a full emotional collapse.
“Okay,” she sniffled, pinning one last stray curl behind my ear. “You sure about this? I mean, not the guy, obviously, he’s beyond gorgeous and looks at you like you’re the center of his universe. But like… the speed? Nan snapped her fingers and boom, instant wedding.”
We stood in the side room of the little mountain chapel, late winter sun streaming in from a stained glass window.
I glanced at myself in the full-length mirror. White dress. Nervous smile. Absolute certainty.
Smoothing my hands down the soft ivory silk of my dress, I took a moment to imagine Jack’s face when I would walk up the aisle. The A-line skirt was very flattering and the Queen Anne neckline did all sorts of things for my cleavage. Of course, I’d worn my hair swept to the side, just the way Jack liked.
I’d never been more certain of anything in my life.
I met Emily’s eyes in the mirror. “I’m one hundred percent sure. I love him so much it scares me sometimes. I want this.Even if it’s fast. Even if we’re technically getting married for Nan.”
Emily blinked fast, trying not to cry harder. “You’re getting married for you. Nan just hustled the timeline like a mafia grandma.”
“She really did,” I smiled softly. “When she asked Jack if we could bring the wedding forward, because she was worried about her health... well, of course I wasn’t going to say no. And honestly? The fact that we didn’t have time for a big guest list feels like a blessing in disguise.”
“You might not be saying that when you face your mom after the honeymoon, but if you’re sure…”
“I’m sure.”
There was a knock on the door and the soft murmur of the officiant.
“Showtime.” Emily’s voice wobbled as she handed me my bouquet and leaned in, pressing her forehead to mine. “Let’s get you hitched, babe.”
“Yes, let’s.”
