Page 60 of The Single Dad Billionaire
He handed her a small box, nervously looking down at the sand. She gingerly opened it up, looked at what was inside, and burst into tears.
"Oh, Rylan," she said. "Thank you. I will treasure this forever."
She hugged him again, and this time I noticed he also had tears in his eyes. She tilted the gift so I could see it. Inside the box was a delicate gold bracelet engraved with the name "Mama B."
I put my arm around him. "You are a remarkable young man," I said. "Your parents would be so proud of you."
"Thank you," Rylan whispered. "But they’d be proud of you, too. You’ve raised me to be this way."
I hugged him again, then smiled as he awkwardly helped Brenna put the bracelet on her wrist.
"Well," I said, once we had all regained our composure. "I think it’s time to head back to the B&B, what do you say?"
"Yes!" Brenna said. "I have to call my parents and tell them! And Michelle and Alicia! And then we have a wedding to plan."
"Can we get some food, too?" Rylan asked, winking at me. He had been so proud of that part of the plan, sure that asking for food would throw her off the scent of the surprise party that had been set up. I smiled and went along with his plan.
"Let’s go back there and let Brenna make the phone calls, and then we can get some food," I answered.
"Wait," Brenna said. "We brought the convertible! There’s only one seat."
I laughed. "Don’t worry," I said. "I thought of that."
I motioned to the car waiting in the parking lot. Inside were the girl who had carried the surfboard and her dad.
"Who is that?" Brenna asked. "She’s adorable."
Rylan blushed. "That’s my friend Ashley. She’s pretty cool."
"Pretty cool, huh?" I said. "But not the coolest girl ever?"
"No," Rylan said, heading across the parking lot towards the car. "There’s only one of those."
Brenna giggled as she got into the car.
"Wow," she said, holding out her hand and looking at the ring. "Thank you so much. This was absolutely perfect."
"I am so glad you think so," I said as we drove up the road and back to the B&B.
"Of course, I think so!" she answered. "There’s nothing that could make this day better."
"Nothing?" I asked, smiling.
"Why are you smiling like that?" she asked.
I gestured up towards the house, and she gasped as she looked up and saw her parents and friends filling the deck.
"Are you kidding me?" she squealed.
"Nope," I said, parking the car. "Let’s go enjoy our engagement party, my love."
I helped her out of the car and then smiled as she ran into the arms of her family and friends. They all jumped and squealed, and for the rest of the night, we celebrated our love.
Epilogue
Brenna
I glanced over at Josh as he watched Rylan walk into the gym with the rest of the graduates. I felt a surge of love for this man as I saw his face beaming with pride. Rylan had excelled in high school and had gained admission to several top colleges in the United States, Canada, and England. After careful consideration, he had decided to attend Cambridge University in the fall.
