She grimaces and opens her mouth as if she had a smart-ass comment, but quickly shuts it. After setting my drink down, I prop my elbows on the table and rest my chin on my fists.
“Now spill all the juicy details of Lawson, because I’m dying to know.”
“I don’t think life can get much better than this, do you?” Haylee asks, snuggling into my chest as we enjoy our morning coffees in my favorite chair in the living room.
The house is quiet; Dani and Kyler must still be sleeping because we haven’t heard a peep from them yet, and both of them are fiends for caffeine first thing in the morning.
I lean down, kissing her temple. Haylee is right; life is perfect at the moment. My girl is in my arms, a smile is back on my sister’s face, and my best friend is happy. We even spent the weekend home for my mom’s birthday. It was perfect having everyone back together. I know it made my mom’s night.
My fingers trace up and down Haylee’s arm. I can think of one way life can actually be better—if she agreed to marry me.
What am I waiting for? This is the perfect moment. It’s now or never. I tap her leg so that she hops up off my lap, and she stands with a look of confusion.
“Don’t go anywhere. Stay right there.”
As I head toward our bedroom, I hear her say behind me, “Where are you going?”
Before I back out or some sort of karmic accident happens yet again, I am doing this. I am going to ask Haylee to be my wife. I should have done this a while ago, but then life got in the way. I’m done waiting. Like she said, life is perfect, but as we know, that can change in an instant. I am going to make her my wife. I reach into the closet and pull out the box of ties. I open the small velvet box one more time and take a deep breath.
You got this, Jacobs. Go make her yours forever.
Zach disappears into the bedroom, and when he returns, I notice something in his hand. Before I have the chance to ask what he has, he strides over to where he left me and drops to one knee.
Holy shit, is he…?
“Oh my God, Zach…” I shriek, my hand flies to cover my mouth as I take in the view in front of me.
Zach Jacobs is on one knee in our living room. He opens the v
elvet box, and I am met with the most stunning ring I have ever seen. It looks like my grandmother’s ring yet different.
My eyes fill as he begins to speak.
“Haylee Grace Hanks, I have had the honor of knowing your love and friendship for twenty-two years. Throughout those years, I have watched you go from the silly, nerdy girl next door to this incredibly beautiful and charismatic woman. We had to go through an earth-shattering tragedy to find ourselves.”
I choke out another tear as he continues.
“Your love and comfort put me back together. You make me laugh, smile, and feel complete. I look at you and not only see my past and present, but also my future. I am so head over heels in love with you. Please let me spend the rest of my life making you as happy as you make me. Hails, will you marry me?”
Is this happening?
“Yes! Yes! God, yes!” I shout as he slides the ring on my finger and stands, pulling me into his arms and crashing his lips to mine.
My hands wrap around his neck and pull him closer to deepen the kiss. When we break apart, I hold my hand out to admire the ring.
A noise in the hallway turns our attention to find Dani and Kyler standing there. Tears are running down Dani’s face; Kyler next to her rubbing her back. He leaves her side and walks toward us.
“Congrats!” He first pulls me into a hug. “I’m so happy for you both.”
I somehow manage a “thank you” in between tears.
“It’s about damn time, man.” He and Zach hug their manly hug, slapping each other’s back over and over.
Once they separate, Zach puts his arm around me, and I instinctively wrap my arms around his waist. I look down at my ring finger one last time before my eyes meet my best friend’s.
I see it in her eyes—something is wrong. Dani has still not moved from where she’s standing. I tense, and I feel Zach’s arm tighten around me.
The smile has left Zach’s face as his eyes narrow at his sister. “Dani, say something.”