Maize snorts. “Let’s see how good this meal is first before you get any ideas.”
The table is set, and I pull out a chair for her to sit so I can serve her. Once our plates and wineglasses are full, we dive in, and I swear she’s seconds away from an orgasm when she takes her first bite.
“Holy God, this is incredible,” she moans around a forkful. Before she even swallows, she takes another bite, inhaling it. “I’m gonna need this recipe. My parents would lose their minds over this.”
I don’t admit that I’ve already spoken to her parents and told them what I was cooking. They’re anxiously waiting to hear all about how tonight goes.
“Glad it turned out good,” I agree. “Don’t forget the garlic bread. I made that baby from scratch.”
She grins, putting a piece in her mouth. “Mmm…so good.”
“Did you have a good shift?” I ask when we’re almost finished eating. Though we text nonstop, I always like hearing her talk about her day.
“Yeah, I did. My dad surprised me with flowers and balloons, as usual. My mom wrote me the sweetest card that made both of us cry. Kenzie bought me something that I’m currently wearing under this dress…” She waggles her brows. “And a few of the guests sang me ‘Happy Birthday.’”
“Wow, sounds awesome.”
“And now I’m ending it on a high note and get to be with the man I love.” She gives me a sweet grin, and I can’t stop the burst of happiness that radiates through me.
After we finish eating, I take the opportunity to do what I’ve been anxious about for the past month.
“What would you think about spending every birthday night with me?”
“What do you mean?” She tilts her head in confusion.
“And all my birthdays too,” I add.
“Well, of course.” She licks her lips.
“Forever?” I ask.
She furrows her brows in confusion. Deciding it’s now or never, I stand and pull the velvet box from my pocket, then kneel in front of her.
“Wh-what are you doing?” She turns her body to face me.
“I have a special gift for you—well, two actually—but the most important one is this.” I open the box so she can see the diamond I picked out for her.
“Oh my God…” she whispers barely over a breath as her eyes zero in on it.
“I’m not looking for a girlfriend, Maize. I don’t need to date you any longer to know you’re the one for me. I want to fall asleep with you every night and wake up to you every morning. I’m ready to settle down and start a life with the woman I’m madly in love with. I want forever with you, baby. Now the question is if you’re ready for that too.”
Maize licks her lips, her eyes catching mine for a split second before she looks back down at the ring.
“I love you so much, Maize. Will you marry me?”
Her hands fly to her mouth as tears spill from her eyes. She nods furiously. “Yes! Yes, I will marry you.”
Her arms quickly swing around me, and she buries her face in my neck. I capture her to my chest and squeeze her tightly as my emotions start to boil over.
“I love you,” she tells me, cupping my face, then kissing me. “I can’t believe you just proposed!” She’s half-laughing, half-crying, which causes me to chuckle.
“I have something else for you, sweetheart.” I dig into my other pocket and pull it out. “This key is hypothetical since you already have a key to my place, but it’s a promise.”
She takes it from me and squints. “A promise for what?”
“A promise to build us a house with your dream kitchen so you have all the counter space and top-of-the-line appliances you want. But really, it’s a token that I’ll provide for you and our family, as well as support any goal you have in life. I know you want to stay close to your family and work, and your dad’s already helped me scope the land for us to build on.”
Tears fall down her cheeks as she looks at me with awe. “I honestly can’t believe this is happening. It seems too good to be true.”
I brush the pad of my thumb under her eye. “I know what I want, Maize. And that’s you. Since the moment we met, you’re all I’ve thought about. I’ve told myself that if I had the chance to be yours, I’d do anything in my power to make you happy.”
“I love you with all my heart, Gavin. You make me happy.” She leans into my palm, and I kiss her once more.
“Good.” I grin. “Wanna put on the ring?”
Her eyes light up as if she forgot about it. “Yes! Oh my God, it’s so beautiful.”
I slide it onto her left ring finger, and our emotions get the best of us.