Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 98789 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98789 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Our lives and schedules and jobs and family obligations had been so hectic, in fact—Austin and Veronica had gotten married, Xander and Kelly were engaged, Julia had moved into George’s house in Cherry Tree Harbor, and Mabel had earned her master’s degree and been accepted to a PhD program—we never really discussed our own future.
“My dad called,” Dash said. “He and Julia watched the show together.”
I smiled. “Mabel, Kelly, and Veronica have been texting me all night wanting to know about the parties and who was there.”
“My brothers reached out too. And your parents.”
“Everyone is proud of you.” I kissed his head.
He took my left hand in his right, palm to palm, interlocking our fingers. “It means everything that you were with me tonight.”
“Where else would I have been, silly?”
“Nowhere. You’re always there for me. I want you to know I don’t take it for granted.”
“I know you don’t,” I said softly. “And I could not have been more proud to be the one by your side tonight. Thank you for choosing me.”
“I want you by my side for more than tonight, Ari.” He reached into his tux’s inside pocket and took out a small box. “I want you forever.”
I’d gone completely still. “Dash,” I whispered. “What is this?”
He opened the box, and a diamond glittered in the dark. “It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while now.”
I was afraid to move. Speak. Or even breathe. What if I broke the spell?
“Before you came along, I never thought about love or marriage or starting a family. It always seemed too monumental, too drastic, too permanent. Something that older people did once they had all their other shit figured out or ran out of fun ideas.” He smiled. “And then suddenly there was you, and I realized that love makes you want to do drastic, monumental, permanent things. And I can’t think of anything more fun than building a life and a family with you.” Taking the ring from its black velvet cushion, he slid it onto my finger. “Will you marry me?”
I watched the ring glide past my knuckle and sparkle brilliantly in the starlight. “Dash,” I whispered. “You just made all my wishes come true.”
“Is that a yes? You’ll be my wife?”
“Yes.” I laughed, taking his head in my hands once more, kissing his lips. “Yes!”
He kissed me back, wrapping me in his arms. “All I want is to make you happy, Sugar.”
“Will you stop calling me Sugar?”
“Never.”
I laughed as my small-town heart rocketed up among the stars. “Good.”
THE END