He presented a diamond ring like a prince in one of those cartoons she’d loved as a girl and for a moment she was lost in a dream. She clasped her hands before her while he said, “I wanted to ask in front of my family but decided against it because you’re the only one that’s ever seen the real me.”
“And you saw me and make me feel confidentthat others see me now.”
“We have thirty days between shooting—I hope you’ll marry me.”
Adrenaline shot through her as she pressed her hand to her heart and said, “Wait. What?”
He took a deep breath, still on one knee, and said, “The usual answer is yes, though a no is possible, though the opposite of what I want.”
“Yes!” She tugged on his arm to get him to stand. “I…Yes. I’ll marry you. Is that why you invited people tonight?”
His face went red but he hugged her tight and his arms around her felt right. She was home with him. “Yeah. I want to introduce you as more than my girlfriend.”
A few weeks ago, he’d said they were rushing. She kissed his cheek. “We don’t have to rush into anything.”
He laughed and claimed her lips, sending steamcoursing through her.
“Why wait?” he said. “Happily-ever-after can start now.”
He slipped the platinum ring with a princess cut diamond on her finger. “Sounds perfect.”
Her heart still thumped as she picked up the toy they’d bought and left the foyer.
Before she could hurry upstairs, they ran right into Matt’s sister, Elizabeth, her former employer, and her family.Matt hugged his sister and Ashley, at his side, said, “Elizabeth. Rafe. Brandon. It’s lovely to see you again.”
Elizabeth picked up her hand with the bag and said, “What’s this?”
“A firetruck for Brandon,” Ashley said, waiting for parental approval before she gave it to their son.
Rafe nodded at her and she handed the bag to the three-year-old Brandon whose eyes beamed brightwhile he stared at the red truck.
Elizabeth lifted Ashley’s hand and said, “I meant this ring.”
Matt wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Ashley’s pulse quickened but she asked, “You like it?”
Elizabeth pushed Matt back and hugged her as she said, “Are you joking? You’re going to be my new sister.” Then she called out into the next room, “Everyone. Matt and Ashley are engaged.”
Matt puffed out his chest proudly. “Thanks, Elizabeth.”
She chewed on her lip but stopped that old habit. “I want to get dressed. Be right down to meet everyone.”
Without waiting for another interruption, she dashed up the stairs.
In the bedroom she put on a teal dress that fit her perfectly and sandals.
She looked more festive, with her hair up to show her diamondearrings glittering from her ears. She hurried back down, where her old friend waited for her by the stairs. “Caro, it’s good to see you again.”
Caro handed her a glass of wine. “Remember all those times we went to the bar after scrubbing the toilets? Did you ever think…”
Ashley accepted the wine and clinked her old coworker’s glass. “Not in a million years.”
Caro sipped,as did Ashley. They walked into the living room that was now full of Morgans, who all accepted her. Caro said, “Me either. Finding Luke again changed my life.”
The doctor waved for Caro to join him as Ashley said, “It’s clear he loves you.”
Caro held one finger in the air, signaling to her husband she needed a second and said to Ashley, “And you’re happy, working on the sets?”
“Absolutely.”