Page 134 of Small Town Firsts

He shoots me a sexy smirk but doesn’t otherwise acknowledge what I said. “I know we’re young, Abby Jane, but I don’t want to wait a year to propose. I know this seems spur of the moment, but I’ve actually had this ring for a couple ofweeks now. And after everything that’s happened between us, I’ve learned waiting for the perfect moment can bite you in the ass.”

“Wh-what are you saying?” I blink at him like a deer in headlights. Surely, he’s not…

He pushes his chair back from the table and drops to one knee beside my chair. Reading my panicked expression, he rushes on. “Hear me out. I already know you’re my future—my forever…” He fishes around in his pocket, retrieving a black velvet box, flipping it open to reveal the most breathtakingemerald-cut smoky quartz ring. The stone is nestled in a diamond halo and set in a rose gold band.

“…I love you, firecracker. Marry me? Please?”

“Yes!” I launch myself into his arms. “Yes!”

“Yes?” he asks, almost disbelievingly.

“God! YES, you dumbass! How could you possibly think I’d say no?”

“I learned a long time ago not to assume with you.”

“Riiiight. You know I’m a sure thing. Hell. I pretty much demanded you ask me earlier today. You just sped up the timeline. I love you, Jockstrap, and there’s no one else out there for me.”

“Damn straight. There’s definitely no one else who could put up with your ass.”

“Asshole,” I say on a laugh, right as our dessert is placed on the table before us. But we’re too into each other—into this moment—to bother eating it. I stare at the ring on my finger, admiring how it glows in the low lights.

“Abs!” Brock practically shouts my name.

I jerk my head up at the tone of his voice. “Gah! What?”

“You know I said your name like three times, right?”

I bite my lip and shake my head. “No, sorry. I was too busy ogling my ring.”

“I’m glad you like it. But, I…I have another question.”

I wink at him. “If you’re about to ask me to have your baby, the answer is no.”

“Jesus, you’re impossible. No…I wanted…well, the thing is, I want to marry you now. Hell, you’re already wearing white.”

“Hold up. I’m not saying my vows in front of an Elvis impersonator.”

“No worries. I have it covered.”

I wait for our server to drop off our check before speaking. But as soon as she’s gone… “Excuse me! What exactly do you mean you’vegot it covered? This is our wedding. Our one and only wedding and I know I’m not like most girls, but I’ve still imagined that my big day would be like. Not to mention, our families, what about them?”

Brock raises a brow at me. “Okay, sure, the only family involved is your mother. But I bet she would like to be here. And West and Stacia—what about them?”

“Calm down. I want you to trust me. Can you do that?”

“Of course, I trust you, Brock. But…now?”

“I can’t wait another second to call you my wife. For you to have my last name. And let’s be real, a big to-do wedding is so not your thing.”

I place my palms on the table and stare him down. “You think you know me so well…”

“I know I do. If I had to wager a guess, I’d say you’d rather elope than drop buckets of money that could be put toward something else—like our future together.”

I let out a small growl, becausedammit, he’s right. But even still, I always pictured Stacia by my side.

After paying our tab, Brock suggests checking out the fountains from the terrace. I easily agree because they’re beautiful. Plus, maybe we can snap ajust engagedpicture to send Stacia.

Except, when we get out there, Brock turns to me and asks me to give him a few minutes.

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