Page 144 of Hoax and Kisses
“Yes,” I breathe. Then, louder, with everything I have, I say it again. “Yes!”
I throw myself into his arms, and he catches me like he always does, steady and sure, kissing me like no one’s watching, even as the room bursts into applause.
He draws back, his face lit up with pure joy. “I love you so much,” he says as he slides the diamond onto my finger with a shaking hand.
I say it back again and again as I pepper him with kisses, my tears melding with his, our hearts pounding in sync.
Somewhere in the room, Charlee’s shouts ring out over the chaos, and then there’s a pop. Champagne flows, and just like that, we’re pulled into hugs and laughter and well wishes. Through it all, Matt never lets go of my hand, the one he put a ring on.
The party goes on all night. Music blasts through speakers, and the center of the room transforms into a dance floor that has Matt swaying his hips against mine.
Hours later, we’re back home, tired but grinning from ear to ear. Side by side on the porch, we look up at a sky starting to soften into the pink of dawn, my head resting on his shoulder.
I hold my hand out in front of me, admiring the way the diamond catches the morning light. The sight fills me with pride and tugs at my heart at the same time.
“Everything okay, beautiful?” Matt murmurs.
I nod against him, smiling. “This is gonna be a happy life.”
He slides his arm around my waist, nestling me deeper into him. “I agree. Forever has a nice ring to it.”
