J. Lynn - The Proposal 2.5.pdf

The delicate looking princess cut engagement ring was warm as it rested in my palm. It weighed nothing, but my hand shook. Hell, my hand shook so badly that Ibarked out a dry laugh that cracked like thunder as Istood in my childhood bathroom. I’d never been this nervous before. Jesus. Ishould’ve taken out stock in the brand of deodorant Iused. It was crazy. This whole thing was insane. A year ago Inever would’ve thought I’d be minutes from getting down on one knee like one of those guys in those corny ass jewelry commercials. Never thought that would be me, but there was a knot in my throat the size of a soccer ball, & the nervous energy was part excitement, part dread, because she could always say no. And that would be seven circles of hell kind of awkward with my whole family downstairs. How many circles of hell were there? Wait. Dammit. Why was Ieven thinking about that right now? Dragging my gaze to the mirror over the sink, I looked like Iwas seconds from walking off a cliff. Would she think this was too soon? Iknew she loved me. No doubt in my mind. And there was no woman on this Earth Iloved more than her. There. Ifelt it. The skip of my heart. The dip in my gut. Iwas in deep when it came to her. Always had been. That

was never going to change. She was & would always be my everything. This was the right thing to do. I’d just wished Ihad more to give her. A romantic dinner. Maybe one of those flash mobs. Actually, she would probably hide under a table if a flash mob was involved. Istarted to put the ring back in the velvet box, but on second thought, said WTH & tossed the box aside & slipped the baby into the pocket of my jeans. Then I got down to making myself look somewhat presentable. Scrubbed my face. Brushed teeth. Shoved my fingers through my hair. Grabbed for the floss & realized Iwas procrastinating like a mofo. I’d told her I’d be gone for a few minutes. That was fifteen minutes ago. Okay. More like twenty minutes. It was like a fell into a black hole up here. Ineeded to downstairs before someone sent a search party. That was the last thing Ineeded. My nerves were already shot. My heart pounded, louder than my booted footsteps as Iheaded down the hall. Stopping at the top of the steps Iclosed my eyes. Get it together. This was only the biggest question I’d ever ask anyone in my life. Yeah, that thought didn’t help whatsoever. Ijust needed to stop thinking. Ialso needed to walk down these steps. A cupcake would also be really good about now. Maybe even a cookie. Okay. Ineeded to also stop thinking about food Those steps was the shortest damn steps I’d ever walked. In seconds, Iwas down in the foyer, standing there like an idiot with my hand pressed against the pocket of my jeans.

My mouth was dry. Imight be having a heart attack Everything was cool. Laughter floated out from the living room. Someone shouted something about balls. My father? Probably. How appropriate. Ineeded to find mine. It wasn’t like my family or my best friend didn’t know I’d been planning to do this. But they had no idea it would happen Tonight. On Christmas. Which was admittedly cheesy. That’s what love did. Made me into a complete cheese ball. If Istarted crying I’d probably punch myself in the throat. Time to get these feet moving. Now or never. Do or die. Blah. Blah. My feet moved like Iwas knee deep in wet sand. The twinkling lights from the massive, Lampoon size Christmas Tree led the way My parents got a little crazy with Christmas.Looked like Christmas threw up on the house. Imight actually hurl. That would be romantic. Very sexy. Istopped just at the threshold of the living room, my eyes finding her immediately & there it was again. The punched in the chest feeling. Weak in the freaking knees. Ihadn’t said a word, but she turned from where she sat beside my sister, as if we were connected & she knew I was there Our gazes locked. And in that moment, when her lips curved up at the corners, Iheard nothing. Isaw only her. And she was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. I’d be the luckiest SOB on the planet to spend the rest of my life With her. Only her. “You holding up the door, boy?” my father said. Ibit back a

groan. Way to kill the mood. But I… Icouldn’t pull my eyes away from her. Mom stood from where she was perched on the arm of dad’s chair. “You okay, honey?” “Yeah,” Ireplied, voice hoarse. “Never been better.” And that was the damn truth. Eyes trained on her, Istepped over the long legs of my friend. He said something. Ihad no clue what it was. Probably something that will make me want to punch him later, because Iheard my sister giggle. But my focus was on her, on those pretty eyes. Her smile spread, crinkling her nose. Iknew just how many freckles she had on the bridge of her nose. Eight. And a half. She had a couple more in some really interesting places. Places I really didn’t need to think about right this moment.Taking a deep breath, Idid it. Holy crap balls, Idid it. Igot down on one knee in front of her. Like a champ. As I stared in the warmest brown eyes, my sister squealed as she shot from the couch like there were springs under her The moment she recognized what Iwas doing, before I even reached into my pocket, would stay with me for the rest of my life. She jerked back as her eyes widened, turning glassy with a fine sheen. Her lips moved, silently speaking my name. And that—the movement of just her lips got to me. Iwas such a Hallmark card right now, but Ihad no regrets Silence fell in the room. My dad was even quiet. For once. & the knot in my throat expanded, so when I

spoke, it was raspy. “Iplanned on doing this a couple of months ago,” Itold her, feeling my heart trying to climb out of my chest. “Things came up, & Ithought I’d have something else big planned, but Icant wait any longer. Idon​t want to.​ Ihad to clear my throat. “Idon’t have a big speech, but you know that Ilove you, right? That I’m in love with you.” With the tips of her fingers pressed against her lips, she nodded as she blinked rapidly. Yeah, she knew. “And I’m always going to be in love you.” My voice caught. “You running into me in the hallway was my luckiest day.” “Oh God,” she whispered. “So I’m hoping that you’re going to make today my second luckiest day, by saying yes.” ​Holy shit,​ my dad murmured, and Iheard my mother hush him. “Dad,” my sister cried. “Geez. Seriously?” Laughing, Ireached into my pocket, finding the ring & pulling it out. Itugged her left hand away from her mouth I kissed the top of her hand first, and then Ilifted my gaze, meeting hers once again. Her hand shook as bad as mine & her eyes were full of tears. Icouldn’t move or speak for a moment. Frozen in the moment. And then Ifound my voice.

“Avery Morgansten, would you make me the luckiest guy ever by being my wife?” “Yes,” she said, nodding, & before Icould get the ring on her finger, she sprung forward, wrapping her arms around my neck Irocked back, folding my arms around her, and I lost my balance, landing on my ass with her latched onto me, the top of her red head buried against my chest. Someone in the room shouted and clapped. Icould hear my mom crying Ireached beside us, gently lifting her cheek. “Shortcake…” My voice trembled, & Ididn’t care. “You’re going to let me get this ring on you?” Avery half laughed, half hiccuped as she pulled back, swiping at her cheeks with her palm. “Yes. Sorry.” She extended her left arm, all but shoving her hand at me, and Ilaughed. Yeah, my vision was blurring. On went the ring. Perfect fit. She clasped my cheeks as she leaned in, resting her forehead against mine. “Ilove you, Cam. Ilove you so very much.” My eyes drifted shut and I held her tight. So close Icould feel her heart beating as fast as mine. Waiting for Avery was the best thing I’d ever done & now we had the rest of our lives together. The End.