Page 33 of Shooting his Shot

"Yeah, baby? You called my name, wassup?"

"What is this? Oh my!"

I went to her and turned her around to face me.

"This is me wanting to make it official between us. I don't want to go another day without asking you to be my wife. I love you, Vani, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you do me the honor of being my wife?"

With tears streaming down her face, she nodded. "Yes, I'd love to be your wife."

I plucked the box out of her hand and took the ring out of the box. I slid the ring on her finger and kissed it before I kissed her.

"This is forever."

Avani stood on her tippy toes to lean up and kiss my lips. She wrapped her arms around my neck, hugging me tightly to her. There is no other place I'd rather be than with her in my arms, locked in forever.

I hada date night with my fiancé, and I was nervous as hell. Akari had sent a makeup artist and a hairstylist to do my makeup. Since my hair was already done, the hairstylist was just going to touch it up. I had been on a lot of dates with Akari, but this was my first one as his fiancée. I didn't know what he had planned, but I looked forward to it. He knew I was a simple girl, so he probably would do something simple, but hell, one time, he took me all the way to Cali. Something I hadn't expected. I knew I was looking forward to this date he planned.

"You are beautiful, girl. He's not going to know what hit him," Laisley complimented me.

I smiled a bit. "Thanks, sis. I'm nervous as if I never went out with this man before."

She laughed. "Only as his girlfriend. Now you are his fiancée, about to be his wife. The media had a field day with the news."

I groaned. "Right. They were acting like they had never seen someone get engaged before. I know Akari and I are the hottest couple around right now, but they need to find something else to talk about."

"Yes! Y'all are sexy as hell together. The photo shoot was amazing."

I beamed happily. "Yeah, I loved the pictures we took together."

Since the engagement, Akari and I had been the biggest things popping around Skyeville. It was all everyone could talk about. I didn't know how to feel about that, but it was nothing I could change. Also, we were asked to take a photo shoot as the newest couple for the Skyeville Rayvins, so we did that. I got so many hate messages that I had to roll with it. Somehow, I developed tough skin, and I be damned if I let anyone stop Akari and me from being together again.

"Damn, you're beautiful,"he complimented me.

I grinned. "Thank you. You look handsome, too."

And my man did. Akari matched my fly, wearing my favorite colors, yellow, gray, and white. He looked good as hell in his button-down shirt with a tie. He had gotten a haircut, too, bringing out his facial expression more against his light complexion.

He chuckled. "Is this too much?" he asked, knowing damn well it was.

Akari had me on top of the roof at a hotel resort in Cali for a candlelight dinner. He'd hired musicians to come play music forus as we ate. Let's not forget that he had a menu waiting with a four-course meal. This man knew how to do it up, and I loved that for me.

"Since you said that, I'm going to act like I didn't hear it." I reached for my wine glass and took a sip of it before I placed it back down.

He laughed. "Yeah, do that for me. I just wanted to do something special for you."

I waved that off. "Listen, I'm not complaining at all. This is huge, but I am grateful. This means a lot to me, just as you do, Kari. I'd never say something is too much again since I know what type of person you are. I am a lucky woman to have a man like you in my life."

He lifted the corner of his mouth and dropped his head.

"Wait? Are you blushing?"

He laughed loudly. "Man, cut it out. You sure have a way with words, and I appreciate everything you say to me. I love you."

"I love you more, Akari. Now, to see what we want to eat." I picked up the menu. "A lobster tail. Check."

He burst out laughing as I checked off everything I wanted to eat. "You are great."

I laughed. "I am not, but I am hungry. I hadn't eaten since breakfast. My appetite has disappeared for some reason, but now I am going in on the food since I'm hungry."

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