Page 16 of Written in the Stars
Matt doesn’t get embarrassed or anything. Instead, he just bends and places a kiss on the top of her hand. “But not just today, I want her to feel special every single day, for the rest of her life.”
And this is when Valerie goes from smiling to appearing shocked. Matt drops to one knee and, as he looks into her eyes, he pulls out a black box from the back pocket of his jeans.
Valerie covers her mouth with her free hand, trying to stifle a gasp. But all the women in the room are gasping now.
Matt smiles nervously as he opens the box, revealing a large diamond engagement ring. I can’t tell the exact cut or the size specifically, but it’s a rectangular shape and I can tell it must have cost a pretty penny. “Valerie Maria Smithinson, I love you with all of my heart. You’ve made me a better man and you make me happy every single day. Would you make me an even happier man by promising to be my wife? Will you marry me?”
And just as I had expected, tears of obvious joy stream down Valerie’s cheeks as soon as she hears the words from Matt. For a moment, she says nothing. She just cries and stands up, pulling him up on his feet and throws her arms across his neck. “Yes! Yes! I will be your wife, Matt, yes!” she says into his neck, but it’s still audible enough to hear.
Matt places the ring on her finger. Valerie composes herself, wiping at the corner of her eyes, and then holds out her hand to examine the ring.
“Oh, my God, Matt, it’s beautiful!” she says and then waves her hand around for everyone to see. The women jump up and walk over to her, analyzing the rock. The men head over to Matt, slapping hands on his back, congratulating him.
I do the same, and then he pulls me into a hug. “Thank you, my best man!” he exclaims, reminding me of the commitment I made. I’m going to be the best man in their wedding, and I just hope I don’t fuck up.
As everyone walks around continuing to congratulate the newly engaged couple, I can’t help but feel a little down.
Of course I’m happy for Matt. He loves Valerie, and she loves him. I’m sure they’re going to have a great marriage. And they both deserve their happiness. I am honestly thrilled for them.
I just can’t help the fact that right at this moment, I feel lonely as fuck. If things were different, Maddie would have been standing next to me right now, probably with her arm entwined with mine. Her chin would be nestled into my arm and she would just love this. Maddie was a sucker for engagements and weddings; she would cry at each one we’d attend.
I miss my wife so much. I wish she was here and I wouldn’t be alone right now. I wouldn’t have to steer clear of my friends’ girlfriends’ best friends, trying to set me up. I would have my girl, and everything would be alright. I’d have someone.
But I have no one. I haven’t had anyone by my side for years. I wonder time and time again if I’m destined to be alone for the rest of my life. What if that’s what’s written in the stars for me?
And just as I’m about to go into the cooler off to the right of the room, I can’t help the next thought that pops into my brain: the gorgeous goddess from the previous week, smiling at me.
I have to find out who she is. Or maybe, do I already know?
