Page 143 of Still Love You

CHAPTER THIRTY

Five Months Later

Willow

It's been five months since Silas and I got back together and I'm happier than I've ever been. Silas and I moved in together last September. When Trent went back to college, we moved into his uncle's place to housesit because his uncle is on sabbatical this fall. He's even paying us to watch his house. Between that and not having to pay rent, Silas and I have been able to save up some money. In a couple weeks, Trent's uncle will be back and then Silas and I are moving into an apartment.

In January I start classes at UC-Berkeley but I'll continue to work for the family business, managing the organic beauty products. I've grown that business substantially the past few months, to the point that we might break it off into its own company. I've been able to get our products in hair salons and spas in the local area, but word's spreading fast and now I'm getting requests from retailers as far away as L.A. and Seattle.

I never dreamed it would take off like that. I also never dreamed this would become my career, and yet it's exactly what I want to do. I realize now that working for some massive corporation I had no connection to was never right for me. I have to believe in what I'm doing and feel like I'm making a difference. I sound just like my hippie parents. They said the same thing to me when I asked why they were organic farmers. I used to think I was so different than them, but the truth is, I'm really not. I may dress differently than them and eat burgers and junk food, but when it comes down to what we want out of life, I'm finding I'm more like my parents than I thought I was.

My parents are finally out of debt. They used most, but not all, of my college money. The farm was doing well enough that they were able to use some of that income to pay off the rest of their bills. Now they're back on track, making money and even putting a little into savings. And luckily, they didn't have to sell the house. My mom still works at the real estate company but she's going to quit in January and go back to working full-time at the farm.

Silas just finished his fall semester at the community college. He liked his graphic design classes and decided that's what he wants to do, but as a freelancer, not in the corporate world. He's not a nine-to-five guy and he'd go crazy being stuck in a cubicle. He'll do better on his own. He already has several paid projects he's working on and people are starting to recommend him.

"Nice night," Silas says as we sit in the back of his truck, our legs dangling off the end as we lean back and watch the sun set over the farm.

"I love being out here at night. It's so quiet and peaceful."

Silas glances at me. "It wasn't that long ago you wanted to live downtown L.A., which is basically the opposite of quiet and peaceful."

I shrug. "What can I say? I've changed. I'm not that girl anymore. I haven't even planned anything for months."

He nudges me. "Willow, be honest."

"What are you talking about?" I ask innocently.

"I found your notebook. The one with the lists? And I'm pretty sure I saw a timeline in there."

I sigh. "You weren't supposed to find that. I swear it's more of a list of ideas than actual plans. And the timeline was just—"

He kisses me. "You don't have to explain. It's who you are. You can't help yourself. But at least you're not as obsessive about it as you used to be." He sits back. "And actually, I was going to ask you if you'd like to plan an event I have coming up."

"What is it?"

"It's a party. And it'll probably have a dinner. I'm not sure about all the details yet. I need your input on that."

"When is it?"

"I need your input on that too. It could be months from now. Or years."

"Months or years? What are you talking about? That doesn't make sense."

He laughs a little. "It makes perfect sense."

"Silas, you need to explain yourself. I can't help you unless you tell me what exactly this party is and why you're having it."

He hops off the back of the truck and turns to me, holding my hands, his eyes on mine. "The party will only happen if you agree to it."

"Is this for my birthday?"

"It's not a birthday party. It's not even really a party. It's more of a celebration with family and friends." He pauses. "That typically follows a ceremony."

My heart thumps harder as I realize what he's talking about it.

He picks me up from the truck and places me on the ground, then steps back and takes something from his pocket. Tears form the second I see it. It's my ring. The ring he made me two years ago. My engagement ring.

He takes my hand and gets down on one knee and smiles. "I know we've done this once before, but we're older now and I think we both finally know what we want. At least I do. And what I want is to be with you forever. I love you, Willow. Will you marry me?" He holds out the ring.

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