Page 82 of The Love Comeback
In this moment, there’s no room for doubts or misunderstandings. There’s only the overwhelming certainty that we belong together—that our love is true and unbreakable.
Chapter Thirty-One
Kade
6 Months Later
“Come on,” I say to Colton. “We have to be fast.”
“How do we know she’s not gonna accidentally swallow it?” Colton’s voice fills with concern as I drop the ring into a glass. “She could have to go to the emergency room or something. How would they even get it out? Would they have to, like, cut her stomach open?”
I blink a few times, suddenly rethinking this whole plan. “Do you really think she wouldn’t notice?” I stare at theengagement ring glimmering in the champagne we plan to ring in her birthday with. It’s a tradition we started together back in high school, where we would stay up the night before our birthdays so we could celebrate it just as the clock struck midnight. And now—after doing a lot of convincing—Colton gets to experience it with us, too.
“I dunno.” Colton shrugs, his eyes rimmed with fatigue and excitement. “Maybe she’ll just be super thirsty.”
I frown. “I don’t think she’ll down champagne.”
“It’s like soda,” Colton points out. “Just for grown-ups. That’s what she’s always said.”
“Hmm.” I chuckle. “Okay, I’ll figure something else out.” I grab the ring from the glass and rinse off the sticky champagne, trying to come up with a plan B.
“What if she says no?” Colton asks, tilting his head with a wicked little grin on his face. He’s definitely working onallmy insecurities at the moment. It’s only been six months since Ella and I started officially dating again.
And I bought the ring the second week.
“She’s not gonna tell me no. Just remember the plan.” I hand Colton the glass of champagne for Ella, along a glass of sparkling apple cider for himself, and he nods.
“I do the cheers and hand her the glass to distract her, and then you’re going to get down on one knee and try not to fall over from nerves.”
I laugh. “Exactly. Except now there’s no ring in her glass, so I’ll just hold it out to her.”
“What’s taking you guys so long?” Ella calls out from my living room. “It’s 11:58!”
“I know, I know,” I call out, hoping the nerves don’t show in my voice. “We’ll be there in just a second.”
I take a deep breath, reaching out and squeezing his shoulder. “We’re about to blow her away.”
At least, I hope so. In a good way.
I try to steady my hammering heart as I guide Colton through the double doors into the living room.
There, on the couch, sits my beautiful girlfriend, wrapped up in a red fleece throw blanket on the dark leather couch. She’s got a smile on her face, and the light from the timer on the television screen dancing across her face nearly gives her an angelic glow.
I’m head over heels for you, Ella.I want to scream it at the top of my lungs, but I keep my cool, standing a few feet to the side as Colton walks up to her with the glass of champagne in one hand and his sparkling apple cider in the other.
“Oh, Kade let you carry my glass, I see.” She laughs lightly, then eyes me. She pats the seat beside herself, and I nod to Colton, just as the countdown I set up for us on YouTube starts.
“Take it!” Colton blurts out, his eyes widening. “Hurry!”
Ella bursts into giggles before taking the champagne. “Okay, okay.”
“Countdown with me!” Colton says. “Ten… Nine… Eight… Seven…” As they continue, I drop to one knee, prepared for the moment.
“Five… Four… Three… Two…” Ella counts with Colton.
“One!” Colton shouts.
“Happy Birthday!” we all call out together. Well, I mostly call it out. Honestly, I can barely find my voice. My nerves are choking me, and I feel like all the muscles in my neck are tense as Ella tips back her glass and takes a sip.
