“You’ve been planning this that long?”
“Pretty much,” he said. “I told you I knew what I was getting into. What do you say?”
Smith stuck his big blond head in beside mine. “Say it’s a commitment ring, Ani darling. That way he has to buy you another, even fancier one when you actually get engaged. Think of all the bling you’ll have then. You’ll be dripping in stones.”
Garrett just shook his head.
I gave it approximately a second’s thought and held out my ring finger. The cheers and applause were loud. He slipped the large square-cut diamond and platinum ring on my finger. Then he cupped the back of my neck and pulled me in for a kiss. A long and deep one. I clung to his shoulders, refusing to let go for an instant.
“You said yes,” he said with a smile. “That’s pretty brave.”
“We’re doing this.” I shrugged. “I love you. Of course I said yes.”
“I love you too, babe. So much. Why are you crying? This is a good thing.” With the side of his thumb, he wiped a tear off my face. And together, hand in hand, we turned to face the gathered citizens of our fair town. All of the familiar faces sharing in our special moment. I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Beside me, Garrett stood happy and whole. He raised my hand with the ring on it to the crowd and said, “Thank you, Wildwood. Really. You gave me a new life. You gave me love. Thank you for everything.”
The crowd went wild.