“Maybe later,” Keaton says as he guides me over to where his dad sits.
“Hey, Poppy,” Keaton’s dad smiles warmly at me, and I wonder why I was so nervous.
“Hey, Merrick,” I sit down on an inflatable chair as Keaton sets a plate down on my lap. “Here, I got you some pizza.”
I smile up at him. “Thanks.”
“The fireworks should start any time.” Keaton still seems tense. Which I don’t quite understand. I mean, we made it before they started. Why has he not chilled yet?
Almost as if they heard Keaton, the first boom sounds and afirework spirals into the sky and bursts. It’s a typical golden starburst one. Several more of a similar nature go off.
Then there’s another boom, but this time it’s a picture—of a diamond ring. That firework is followed closely by a red flower. A poppy, if I’m not mistaken. I look over to where Keaton’s standing, but he isn’t there. I turn forward and see him kneeling in front of me with an open ring box. “Poppy Alice Ashcombe, will you marry me?”
I’m aware of the silence and all the eyes glued to us. It takes me a second to process everything. Keaton arranged for fireworks to propose to me? Oh, my heck! That’s crazy.
“Ugh, Sprite, I don’t mean to rush you, but my knee is starting to cramp.” Keaton looks at me and I can see the vulnerability in his eyes.
“Oh, my gosh. Yes. Of course I’ll marry you!”
His family erupts in cheers as more fireworks explode in the sky above us. He slides the ring onto my finger, a lovely square-cut diamond with amethyst stones on either side. I’ve never seen a more perfect ring. “Oh, Keaton. It’s beautiful.”
He smiles at me and pulls me to him, kissing me on the lips. A voice clears behind him, and Alix is standing there with her arms crossed. “Move aside, little brother. We want to see the rock.”
Shay and Alix ooh and aah over my ring. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t dazzled by it myself.
“Okay, ladies. I’m taking fiancée prerogative and watching the rest of the fireworks with Poppy.” He shoos Alix’s kids out of one of the giant bean bags. Settling in, he pulls me down next to him.
I snuggle into his side. “How did you arrange for the fireworks?”
He grins. “My best friend from high school owns the firework company. I used up the entire favor bank.”
I laugh. “Man, I hope I am worth it.”
He nuzzles into my neck. “Oh, Poppy. You are worth so much more than a favor bank. And I look forward to proving it to you for the rest of our lives.”
