Page 112 of #Moonstruck

Ryan got down on one knee, opening the box. “Didn’t you ever listen to the lyrics of ‘Daisy’ before? It’s a proposal song. I’m proposing to you. Be my wife, Maisy. I love you, and I don’t want to live without you. These last few months have been among the worst of my entire life. I don’t want another day to go by without you in it.”

My mouth just hung open. I was unable to take in the enormity of what was going on. I didn’t know anything about diamonds, but it was huge, glittery, and gorgeous.

“This isn’t a fake engagement, is it?”

He grinned. “Not fake. It was never fake for me, Maisy. With you it was always real.”

Would I ever stop crying today?

“Also,” Ryan added, “I can absolutely afford a carriage. A stylish marriage, if that’s what you want.”

“I can’t believe you’re proposing to me while I look like this.”

“I think you look hot. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known.”

Okay, that was not true, considering the crowd he ran with, but I figured being in love might have skewed his perception. Which worked for me.

“That diamond is so big,” I said as Ryan took it out and put it on my finger. “Maybe too big.”

“Said no woman ever,” he teased. “I actually considered some larger diamonds, but I didn’t want it to weigh down your hand while you’re playing. Because I want you to keep pursuing your dreams and your music. I don’t want marriage to mean an end to either your or my goals. We’ll figure out a way to make it all work. But I also want the whole world to know that you’re mine. So I got something reasonable.”

I held my hand aloft, letting the diamond sparkle in the sunlight. It was light. I wouldn’t have any troubles playing. But reasonable? “It’s not reasonable. As I once said, I’m not selfish enough to deny you the pleasure of giving it to me.”

Voices came up to the window from the sidewalk. They were calling our names. We walked over to see my three brothers standing there, smiling up at me. Those jerks had known what Ryan had planned and been in on it.

I had never loved them more.

“Are you done?”

“Did she say yes?”

“Are you our new brother?”

Ryan turned to me, resting his hands on my hips. “I know Rule #1 is to never date a musician. But what about marrying one?”

I put my arms around his neck and grinned. “You already know the answer.”

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