Lover (Court University 4)

Both Mom and December grinned, and that shit? Yeah, it kind of got some stuff caught in my throat a little bit. My girlfriend apparently loved placing me on the spot, too.

She faced me. “But also, an amazing man and fierce protector.” She paused, tucking a stand of hair behind her ear. “Many of you probably know this man saved my life. Whether you’ve read about it or heard directly from us. And though that’s true, I’m sure most of you don’t know it wasn’t the first time.”

I eyed her, surprised she was saying this.

I placed a hand out for hers, and she took it, lacing our fingers.

“Ramses, I’ll never be able to thank you.” Her voice thickened, and when she squeezed her eyes, that shit got me a little, too.

I fought it with a smile, keeping our hands laced and after she got herself together, she continued on.

She squeezed my hand. “And this is probably crazy. I’ve probably lost my entire mind, but I asked your mom for permission, and she’s okay with it so…”

What the hell?

And then, legit, she got on her knees. Like really, on her knees before me.

She laughed in her heels, shaking her head. “I’m going to ask you a question. Because I know that’s what you need. You need to know I’m okay with this, this question.” She chuckled. “Because you are so good. You are and will fight your instincts because you need to know I’m okay with this before you’d ever ask. You’ll always wait for me. Even if it goes against everything you feel.”

I would do that, impulsive, but she was logical. She was, so I respected that.

I did tell her I’d wait for her. Even if that meant years down the line until she was ready. Until she wanted to commit to me.

“Ramses…”

I eased to the floor with her, guiding her to stand to her feet.

The room gasped.

Her father honestly thought I was crazy when I’d spoken to him today. I mean, Brielle and I’d been dating for like two seconds, but it didn’t feel like that.

We only felt like forever.

I slid a black box from my pocket, and my mom literally squealed so loud that the whole room erupted in laughter.

I couldn’t quite gauge Brielle’s reaction. She had half her face covered with her wine glass and her hands, but I took that for a good thing.

“You really do know me,” I said, popping the box open. Inside, was my great-grandmother’s ring. I’d had it for what felt like forever. A diamond ring in the form of a lily, timeless, beautiful just like her. I took Bri’s hand. “And I hope because you do, you’re not surprised by this.”

Her face gorgeously flushed, she shook her head. And when she removed that wine glass, she had tears in her eyes. She laughed. “Thank God, you saved me. I hoped you would.” She palmed her face. “I’m like seriously mortified.”

“I know.” That had the whole room laughing, but once it faded, I stared up at her. “Brielle Whitman-Quintero, will you—”

“Yes.”

I paused, eyeing her.

She covered her mouth. “Sorry.”

More laughter, and I shook my head. “Brielle Whitman-Quintero, will you marry me?” I stated, then eyed the room. “Something you don’t know about her is she always likes to take control.”

“Yeah, she does!”

That came from the back of the room from, of all people, her parents. They were there too, her dad’s glass in the air. He hugged Bri’s mom’s shoulders, the older woman basically in tears.

Bri’s lips parted, facing me. “Did you tell my parents about this?”

“I even asked your dad,” I said, winking. Of course, I had. I’d ask whoever I had to.