“Yeah… Of course.”
Kristen raised her eyebrows, not convinced at all. “Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
“You seem distant tonight.”
“Do I?”
“And, you’re giving me the shortest answers possible.”
“Am I?”
“Stop that.”
“Sorry,” I said, trying to suppress my smile.
“You know, if Noah hadn’t been here and if this restaurant had been less fancy, I would have assumed you wanted to break up with me.”
“That’s not it.”
Kristen smiled. “Well, that’s good to know.”
We were interrupted as Noah came back to the table, but instead of sitting on his own chair, he slipped onto Kristen’s lap and leaned against her shoulder. The sight of them together brought a lump to my throat, and I knew the moment had arrived.
“Kristen,” I said, reaching out for her. “You’ve made my life so much better.”
“Mine, too,” Noah piped up.
I laughed. “You’ve made a difference in both our lives, and I’m so grateful that we met.”
Kristen’s eyes were soft with tenderness, and I could tell she was getting emotional, too.
“I know neither one of us expected this, but we found each other, and it makes sense. We make sense together. I’m a lucky guy. I didn’t always think that, but now I’ve realized that I had the privilege of having not one, but two soul mates. But you’re not just my soul mate, Kristen; you’re my best friend, too. And I know I’m going to be okay as long as you’re by my side.”
With that, I reached into my coat pocket and pulled out the small jewelry box that I’d been hiding for the last month. Kristen’s eyes went wide, and a little gasp escaped her. Noah sat up straight, looking excited and impatient.
“Kristen, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
“Yes!” Noah screamed before Kristen could say a word.
We laughed, and I shook my head at him. “Sorry, bud, but Kristen needs to be the one to accept my proposal.”
“Say yes, Krissy,” Noah prompted, looking back at her pleadingly. “Please say yes.”
I saw tears sparkle in Kristen’s eyes as she nodded. “Of course, I’ll marry you,” she said.
Noah screamed in excitement, and I rose from my chair to embrace Kristen. As we were kissing, I heard applause go up in the restaurant, and when we broke apart, I realized that everyone was cheering for us. Noah was wedged in between us, joining in our embrace and clapping along with everyone else.
I looked at Kristen and kissed her softly on the lips. “Yes?” I asked again, just to check.
“Yes,” she said firmly.
Three Years Later
Epilogue
Kristen