Bad Seed

and in doing so, we became friends. In just six months, he and I became almost inseparable.

Josh’s accident changed everything for him. He reprioritized his life and became a totally different person. He quit his job at the hospital, deciding that family medicine was a better option. He moved to Ennis and met Jennifer, his girlfriend of three months.

They were insanely in love already. I’d never seen him so committed to anyone. It was amazing how quickly things could change. Suddenly, we were double-dating all the time. Josh and Julie had become real friends, better friends than they were when they dated.

It was like everything had fallen into place after Josh’s accident. He changed. We all changed. Even Sheila came around more often. She and I were still nervous around each other, and I wasn’t sure that would ever change, but it was better now. Better than I could have hoped.

Even my adopted parents had begun to accept my new family. They were scared at first. My mom worried I would replace her and forget about them, but I managed to convince her that would never happen. She welcomed Josh with open arms and, slowly, she was starting to accept Sheila as well. They weren’t exactly friends, but they were friendly.

“Hey, you,” Julie said. I turned around to see her standing in the doorway of the bathroom.

Steam billowed out around her. She was naked, not even bothering to wrap a towel around herself. My stomach tightened with need.

“You’re the devil,” I said. “You know we have to leave.”

“Just a little something to get you through the night.” She winked and disappeared back into the bathroom.

I laughed to myself and patted the ring inside my pocket. Julie was the perfect woman. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that she was the one.

When Julie was dressed, we made our way downstairs. I ordered a car to take us to dinner. Before we even arrived at the restaurant, we saw the Eiffel Tower. It was lit up and gorgeous. Julie’s eyes flew wide as she stared up at it.

“It’s even better at night,” she whispered.

We ate dinner, talking and drinking wine like our lives depended on it. This was our very first vacation together and, already, I didn’t want to go home. I could have lived in Paris forever if it meant keeping Julie by my side.

Dinner ended, and I took Julie by the hand. I led her outside and past the car. She frowned, confused.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“We had a plan, remember?” I said. “You promised we’d make out in front of the Eiffel Tower.”

“I don’t think I ever promised that,” Julie said, laughing lightly.

“In my mind, you definitely did.”

We walked into a clearing just in front of the Tower. Julie was smiling up at the structure with those same wide, enchanted eyes. I couldn’t look away from her face. She was the only thing I saw, the only thing real in my life.

I took her arm and spun her toward me. She giggled just as our lips collided. I wrapped my arms around her waist, kissing her slowly. The moment was everything I hoped it would be.

When we pulled apart, I reached into my coat pocket and got down on one knee. Julie’s eyes were wider than ever. She stared down at me, shocked and speechless.

“There are so many things I want to say to you,” I said. My voice was weak, but I kept going. “My love for you is stronger than anything I’ve ever felt in my entire life. Julie, I can’t even begin to tell you just how much I need you.”

“Oh my god.”

“I’ve never loved anyone the way I love you,” I said. “You’re everything to me. Everything.”

“Michael.” Julie’s eyes filled with tears.

“When we planned this trip, I could think of only one thing,” I said. “If I’m sure of anything, it’s that you and I were meant to be together. Always.”

I swallowed hard and opened the box. Julie’s eyes flickered to the ring and then back to my face. She was crying in earnest now, tears sliding down her cheeks.

“Julie,” I said. “Will you marry me?”

Her answering nod was the best moment of my life. She laughed through her tears and flung herself at me. I caught her and stood up, spinning her in a fast circle before setting her back on her feet.

I slid the ring on her shaking finger and kissed her. She was crying and laughing while I could barely contain my excitement.