I set Isaac aside and press my hand to Eric’s chest. “How do you feel about not being invited to the service?”
“At peace. He kept my mother out of that medical study. I can’t mourn him.”
And he hasn’t. Not beyond a few days of battling confusing emotions, and the connection to his mother he lost with his father. He’s recovered well. “No matter what my mother said to you, we can go if you change your mind. You know that, right?”
“What I know, baby, is how much I want to go home and celebrate what a badass princess you are.”
I laugh and I believe he really doesn’t want to go to Italy, not for the service. And so we pack up and leave, a warm blanket of intimacy between us. And we do as he suggested. Together we celebrate our win today. Together we heal. Together we are better. We were never temporary. We weren’t drawn to each because of the circumstances. The circumstances simply brought us together. We’re strong. And we’re getting stronger.
***
Two months later…
The NFL deal is complete and Eric and I stand at the top of the Rockefeller Center in the center of a swanky party filled with investors and guests in celebration. I’m in a teal gown to match the team colors as is Mia, while Eric, Grayson, and Davis wear teal-colored ties. The evening is spectacular and as the night tracks on, Eric takes my hand and sneaks me out of the party.
“Where are we going?”
“It’s a beautiful night and I need you to myself for a few minutes.”
I smile with this declaration and we head downstairs, exiting to a cool beautiful evening with the stars twinkling above. I think we’re stopping at the ice rink, but he guides me toward a limo. “We’re leaving? In a limo?”
“Yes. We are.”
A driver opens the door for me and I give Eric a curious look. “What are you up to?”
“Wait and see.”
I laugh, filled with joy that only this man gives me and I slide inside the car. A few minutes later, we pull up to a little wine bar we adore. “
Isn’t it closed?”
“Not for us.”
I’m incredibly charmed that he’s created our own private celebration. Arm in arm, we walk toward the door and the owner, Max, who we have gotten to know, holds the door for us. We share a greeting with him and then enter the dimly lit bar, which is lined with quaint bookshelves and rows of wine bottles, with dangling lights above us.
We settle into our favorite little private nook with a red couch and a table made of a tree trunk, a bottle of champagne waiting on us. “This is amazing,” I say, and I can feel myself glowing.
Eric settles onto the couch next to me. “You’re amazing.” He takes my hand. “You’ve changed my life, Harper.”
“You’ve changed my life, Eric. That’s an understatement. You—you’re my best friend.”
“Then marry me.”
I blanch. “What?”
He goes down on one knee and presents me with a velvet box. “Marry me, Harper.” He opens the lid and inside is a stunning heart-shaped diamond with a delicate etched design around it. I cover my mouth, my eyes burning. I drop my hand. “It’s stunning. It’s so amazing.”
“Harper—”
“Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.” I wrap my arms around his neck and hug him. “Is this a good time to tell you I missed my period?”
He pulls back. “You did?”
“Yes, but it might not mean anything and—”
He kisses me, a deep, passionate kiss that says it all. He wants everything. I want everything. Together, we are everything.
THE END