Page 91 of Some Saviors Can Break You

“Did we just meet? I thought you knew by now that I love to go all out when I'm looking to impress.”

“I guess a certain trip to Florence for a few hours walking through the city and dinner speaks to that.” She giggled. “So what's up next?”

“You’ll see.”

His answer earned him an eye roll, but he just chuckled and pulled her onto his lap so they could make out until they got to part two of the celebrations.

When they pulled to a stop and got out, Florence squealed again, her eyes as round as saucers as they stared at the hot air balloon ready and waiting to take them floating through the sky.

“How did you know that I've always wanted to go in a hot air balloon? I've never told you.”

“A little birdie may have whispered it in my ear.”

“Fletcher. It had to be my brother because he’s the only one who knows.”

“I may have asked him for a few tips on things to do today that you’d enjoy,” he told her. He’d wanted to make this day special for her, and he and Fletcher had become friends over the last couple of weeks.

“A hot air balloon ride at sunset, that has to be the most romantic thing ever. Eli, this is so wonderful,” she gushed, giving him a quick kiss before running over to the balloon.

They climbed into the basket and slowly rose to fly. Florence oohed and ahhed as they floated over fields and beaches, the Manhattan skyline as their backdrop.

The more excited she got, the more he fell in love with her. Eli had thought that the love he felt for her was stronger and deeper than anything he had ever felt, and yet every day she did or said something that made it grow. He wondered how much he would love her a year from now, a decade from now, a lifetime from now.

Throughout the ride the sky put on a show, turning red and pink and gold as the sun slowly set, and by the time the balloon landed, it was dark out and time for the third and final part of his celebration plans.

“That was so romantic,” Florence said as he led her back to the car. “Are we going back to your place now because I want you naked and inside me sooner rather than later.”

“That will have to keep, princess, because I have one more surprise.”

Florence yawned as they got into the back of the car, and snuggled up against his side. He thought she’d fallen asleep, but when they’d driven back into the city, and the car stopped, she lifted her head from his shoulder and looked out the window.

“What are we doing here?” she asked, confused.

Instead of answering, Eli took her hand and tugged her out of the car. They were parked right outside the alley where he had spotted her that first night and saved her life when he’d pushed her out of the way of the car.

He passed her a tub of ice cream. “Dinner.”

“Aww, mint chocolate chip, my favorite.” She took the tub and pulled off the lid as she asked, “So why did you bring…” she trailed off, and from the look on her face, he knew she’d seen the engagement ring nestled in the ice cream. “Is that what I think it is?”

Dropping down onto one knee he took her hand. “Florence, you drive me crazy, make me laugh, and make me love in a way I didn't realize I was capable of loving. I know we’ve only known each other for one month and that everything we’ve done we’ve done at full speed, but when I see something I want I go after it, and I want you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and I don’t see any reason to wait. You’re everything to me, I would do anything just to bring a smile to your beautiful face, and I don’t want another day to go by without you as my wife. Will you do me the honor of trusting me with your heart and your life and marry me?”

7:20 P.M.

Florence couldn’t take her eyes off the ring in the tub of ice cream.

An engagement ring.

Eli was down on one knee in front of her and had just said the most beautiful things to her.

Every logical bone in her body told her this was too soon. One month wasn't enough time to know if you were ready to commit the rest of your life to another person. One month wasn't enough time to know if the feelings you thought you had were real.

One month was too soon, and yet…

Her heart told her everything that she needed to know.

“Of course I’ll marry you,” she exclaimed, throwing her arms around Eli’s neck, causing him to lose his balance and they both tumbled to the ground. Somehow Eli managed to break her fall, taking the brunt of the impact, and it just made her love him even more.

“Yes? You're saying yes?” Eli wrapped his arms around her and stood, bringing her up with him. He held her feet off the ground and spun around in circles, dancing about the alley as though they were at a fancy dress ball.

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