Page 118 of Don't Leave Me

I lazily laid down next to her and pulled a throw blanket over me. I had my engagement ring on and I wondered how long it would take for her to notice.

“Who are you texting?”

I already knew the answer. Her and Adam were getting serious - I guess her near-death had brought them closer together. He was even spending time at the condo and he and Michael were starting to become pals. It was weird seeing them interact, laughing and having a beer together.

“My honey,” she grinned, side-eyeing me.

I smiled as I put my left hand up to my chin. “You two are so cute. Almost as cute as me and Michael.”

Emily looked over at me, probably ready to tease me, when her eyes nearly popped out of her head.

“Hana Anne Miller - what the fuck is that?” she exclaimed, jumping up to her knees on the bed and staring at my ring.

I lifted up my hand. “Oh, this old thing?” I raised my eyebrows playfully.

“Are you fucking engaged?” her eyes were still wide, her face a mixture of awe and confusion.

I laughed and nodded. “Yes. I said yes!” I got up to my knees too, giving her a tight squeeze.

Emily laughed, squeezing me tighter.

“Oh my god. Hana, this is amazing! For how long?” She let go of me and took my hand, studying my ring. “Jesus Christ, this is gorgeous!”

“Isn’t it? For…a while. A week?” I couldn’t actually remember, but that sounded about right.

She gasped. “A week! A week? You’ve been lying to me for a whole week?”

“Keeping a tiny little secret,” I corrected her, her eyes still playful so I knew that she wasn’treallyangry at me.

Emily took my hand and laughed again. “Please don’t ever keep a tiny little secret like this from me again!”

* * *

Everyone that I knew that lived in or around New York City was at our party.

It was Billie and John that had showed up first; Billie was always punctual and I knew she was probably eager to see our new condo, the place that had replaced our home.

“Welcome!” Emily greeted them with a wide smile, playing our greeter.

I was planted at the top of the stairs, slowly creeping down and able to watch them discreetly.

Billie and John walked in, their coats and layers of scarves making them look stylish and warm, their eyes darting around the condo.

“Wow!” Billie exclaimed, already taking off her coat.

“Welcome to our home,” I said, making my way down the stairs with a wide smile on my face.

I couldn’t help but notice that even John looked impressed with the place. I knew that ever since I broke Jack’s heart that he hated me.

“Hana!” Billie smiled with open arms, being the same warm Billie that I always remembered.

I immediately wrapped my arms around her and closed my eyes, happy that she was there and missing her.

“I can take your coat,” I heard Emily say to John sweetly.

I was happy that Emily was taking her role so seriously.

We let go and I could see Michael shrugging his blazer on over a blue button up as he walked down the stairs.

---