Whiskey and Country

“Nick, your own whiskey label.”

I blinked. “My what? Huh, are you saying what I think you are?”

Dahlia’s grin reached her ears. “It won’t be ready for a while, but I couldn’t wait to tell ya. I met that expert and we talked about you, your taste, and he came up with a custom recipe. It’s been barreled already, so we won’t be able to taste it for about three years. See why I couldn’t wait to share it with ya?”

I rotated the barrel between my fingers and noticed the small inscription engraved on its side.

I watched Dahlia with a raised brow. “Is it?”

She nodded.

“Woman, you didn’t?”

Her smile stretched, and she beamed in the low light of the house. “I did.”

“It’s you and me?”

“It’s us.”

Everything in me sizzled with excitement.

Could I be any happier?

Could my heart get too big for my chest?

Whiskey and Country.

Whoa, I owned a whiskey label now.

“Thank you. Wow, I’m still speechless. Whiskey and Country. It’s perfect.”

Dahlia inched closer and took my hand in hers. “Nick, there’s something else.” She paused and inhaled through her mouth. “Do you want to spend the rest of your life with me?”

She kissed my lips before kneeling in front of me. This moment. I was pretty sure air couldn’t reach my lungs anymore. The sound of my throbbing heart resonated through my skull.

I blinked, rebooting my confused brain, and dropped to my knees, facing her.

“Babe, I was supposed to be the one asking you. I even got you a ring. I was just waiting for the right time. I had it all planned.”

“Nick, I don’t care about the ring. Well, I do, but that’s not the point. I don’t wanna wait another second to start the rest of our lives together. Here and now, let’s promise to love each other until we both shall live. You already own my heart and my present. Let’s just make it official, so you’ll own my future too.”

I dragged a hand over my face, trying to sort my emotions out.

“Woman, I love you so much right now. I can’t believe this is happening.” I claimed her mouth, wishing I could bask in this state of bliss forever.

Dahlia grinned. And it shook the foundation of me. My heartbeat slowed, matching the rhythm of hers. We were two halves of a soul about to be reunited. About to clash together and shoot stars across the sky.

“I’m lucky I got to ask you first.” She wiggled her brows, and I let out a warm chuckle. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my years of darkness, it’s never to let love pass you by. Life is too short to have doubts and not aim for what you want when you want. It can all end too soon. We’re already living together. Will you be my husband?”

“I love you, and I’m crazy about you. There’s no one else for me in this world. Dahlia Ellis, I know you asked me first, but I’ll ask you too. Will you marry me? My life only makes sense when you’re in it. When you are beside me. When we plan a life together. When we’re in each other’s arms. And every time I’m inside you, I’m vibrating to your melody. You’re my song. My inspiration. My everything.” I paused and cleared my throat. “I’ll be your husband. Will you be my wife?”

We kissed on the kitchen floor, unable to unlock our lips as we promised forever to each other.