My whole body stills, heart pounding as my hand hovers. It’s the right size and shape to bethatkind of box, and we’ve been together long enough for it to bethatkind of box.Is this it?Has he finally picked up on all my hints?
“Did you find them?” Hunter asks, but his voice is a lot closer than it would be if he were standing back at the doorway. I’m stuck staring so hard at this damn box that I can’t turn around.
“I… What is that?”
He chuckles. “Why don’t you open it and see…?”
Gulping down an entire fleet of butterflies, I lift it out of the dresser. I open it slowly, holding my breath as my heart skips several beats. Then I purse my lips and breathe out a growl.It’s empty. Nailing him in the head with this stupid empty ring box is my first instinct. I don’t do it, but I’m pissed enough to think about it. He knows how much I want to marry him. We talk about it all the time. This kind of prank is just cruel, especially when we’re about to go to dinner with his family.
I spin on my heel, ready to lay into him. “You’re so damn annoy—” The words fly out of my mouth before I realize he’s down on a knee, holding up the white gold solitaire ring I’ve been hinting at since I moved in with him a year ago. I drop the box, the glasses, and my jaw.
“Yeah. I know.” His sly grin pins me in place. “I couldn’t make itthateasy.” He drops his head, takes a deep breath, and looks right into my eyes. “Ashlie Janiece Willis, you are the best thing to ever happen to me. You’ve made me see life as more than something to endure, given me a sense of purpose beyond my own selfishness. You came into my life and illuminated every ounce of darkness I kept hidden until the only thing left was you and your light. I want to spend the rest of my life making you the happiest woman in the world, because that’s what you deserve. I am yours, always, and it would be the greatest honor to call you my wife. Will you marry me?”
I’ve thought about this moment since I was little. Had it all planned out. I would cry, jump for joy, and tremble as the ring slid on my finger. It would be wonderfully dramatic, and my waterworks would be worthy of a cinematic award. So color me surprised when there isn’t a tear in sight as I stare at the love of my life down on one knee. I walk toward him slowly, and an audible gulp travels down his throat as I get closer. I drop my head to his. “It took you long enough.”
He breathes out a nervous chuckle. “Ash, I’m freaking out here. Is that a yes?”
“Put the ring on my finger first.”
“Naw, not till you say yes…”
I grab for the ring, and Hunter sits back on his heels, holding it up in the air, just out of my reach. The nervousness etched on his face melts into exasperation—but I’m still miffed about his prank. He said it best:can’t make it that easy. If I had to get my hopes dashed by opening an empty ring box, he can flounder for a bit while he waits for me to answer. He can work for thisyes. I eye him suspiciously. “How long have you had this?”
“Ash—”
“How long?”
“A year. I got it right after you saw it in that magazine. Ashlie, are you going to answ?—”
“A year?And you’re sure now?” I mock sarcastically. “Do you need some more time to think about it?”
He drags a hand down the frustration on his face and tips his head back with a groan. “You’re gonna be the death of me, woman.”
“It took you anentireyear to decide whether you wanted to marry me?”
“No. It took me a year to convince myself you’d actually want to marryme… And you haven’t said yes yet. So do you?”
Of course I do. HeknowsI do. It’s all I talk about. “Do I, what?” I tease.
Hunter’s gaze is equally annoyed and amused as he waits for me to finish my outburst. He’s come a long way in showing vulnerability since we’ve been together. Between a lot of patience, on both of our parts, and some couple’s therapy, being open with each other about our fears comes easier to us. I almost feel bad for dragging this out.Almost.
“Okay.” He stands and slips the ring in his back pocket. Plucking me off the ground, he throws me over his shoulder.
“Put. Me. Down,” I squeal, unable to hold in my laughter. “What are you doing?”
“You’ve clearly lost your mind. I’m performing a factory reset on my girlfriend.” He tosses me on the bed and hovers over me, smothering me with kisses across my face as I lose the giggle fight.
“Oh, I’ve been downgraded from fiancée to girlfriend that fast, huh?”
“Say yes, and we can work on installing the system upgrade.” His eyebrows dance, and that smirk I’ve come to love slides across his lips.
This man,my man,has my whole heart. I could never in a million years see myself with anyone but him. I’ll take all the sarcasm, teasing, and silly bets as long as I get to wake up with him by my side.
“Ask me again,” I whisper, biting my lip as I let go of the last of my tenacity.
He cocks his head to the side, waiting to see what other games I have up my sleeve. “I’m not doing the whole knee thing aga?—”
I interrupt the rest of his snarky commentary with a kiss, and he melts into me, pouring all his frustration into his lips while we battle it out on the kissing field. As much as we tease one another, this passionate pull we have together has never lessened. I think the playfulness brings us closer, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.
