“You didn’t need to get me anything.”
“Can we stop somewhere private before going to your parents’?”
“Sure, where?”
“Pull over there.” She points to empty lot at the park entrance, and I pull in.
“You know, I saw you for the first time when I was seated in that gazebo over there. I just didn’t know it at the time.”
“Oh my God, it’s perfect. Come on!” Before I can argue, she jumps out of the truck and takes off running.
I catch up to her right when she reaches the bench and turns to me, her face bright pink from the freezing wind. The place is almost deserted since we had our first snow fall last night and the ground is frozen.
“Presley, it’s twenty-five degrees out here. What are we doing?” I hop from foot to foot and bundle her in my arms.
“I want to give you your present.”
“You couldn’t do that in my heated truck? Or at your place later tonight?”
“No, it’s been on my mind for a while now.” She reaches between us, takes an envelope out of her coat, and hands it to me.
I open it and read through the document, not believing what it says. “Presley, what did you do?”
“You gave up the house, our house. It was killing me. My dad made a few calls, and the owners haven’t sold. This is a right to refusal. If you still want it, it’s yours
.”
“Your name is on here.”
Her eyes start to dance, and she smiles widely. “I guess I should say it’s ours. I put the deposit in escrow, with the understanding that the final decision was yours. They know you were shot and that things have changed. Everyone involved has agreed, you have final say.”
“You’re giving me a house for my graduation present?”
“I hope so, if that’s what you want.”
“I want everything with you.”
She beams, and I drop to one knee, taking her gloved hand. “Marry me.”
Her smile falters, and she visibly starts to shake. “You don’t have to do this. There are no expectations.”
“For whom? I have expectations. I want a ring on your finger. I want to know you are mine forever.”
“I already told you I am.”
“Then say yes.”
Her eyes fill with tears, and she drops down in front of me. “Is this about the house?”
“No, this is because I fucking cherish you. There is no one who will ever love you like I do. I wanted to do this tonight, alone and naked, with you in my arms and me whispering how much you mean to me. I’ve—“
“Hush! Please stop!” She’s crying openly now. “I don’t want to feel like this is out of obligation. I love you, too, but we can take this slow.”
I pull the ring box out of my pocket and flip it open. Her eyes drop, then raise back to mine. Her lips quiver when she says, “That’s the most exquisite ring I’ve ever seen.”
“This was one of your mother’s diamonds. I had this designed specifically for you. It’s unique and spectacular. Every angle shoots off a blinding sparkle in the light. Marry me… Make me the happiest man ever.”
She grabs the box out of my hand and starts wailing. “Yes!” she screams through tears. Her body flies into mine, knocking us both down, and I hold her close to cushion the fall.