Page 141 of Don't Puck His Best Friend
"I told you I'd score for you."
"You did."
He takes my hand and leads me toward the exit, but instead of heading to the parking garage, he steers us toward a quieter hallway.
"Where are we going?"
"Just... come with me."
We end up in a small alcove, away from the crowds and cameras. He's nervous, I realize. His hand is slightly sweaty in mine, and he keeps running his other hand through his hair.
"Cole, what's going on?"
He takes a breath, then drops to one knee.
My heart stops.
"Harper, I had a whole speech planned, but I'm forgetting all of it, so I'm just going to say this." He pulls out a ring box from his jacket pocket. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me. You make me laugh, you challenge me, you make me want to be better. And I know we've been through hell, but we made it. We chose each other. And I want to keep choosing you for the rest of my life."
Tears are streaming down my face.
"Will you marry me?"
"Yes," I say immediately. "Yes, yes, yes."
He stands and slides the ring onto my finger, then kisses me so hard he lifts me off my feet. I'm crying and laughing at the same time, and somewhere in the back of my mind, I'm thinking about how far we've come.
From that first blind date to this moment.
From uncertainty to absolute certainty.
From choosing safety over chaos to realizing that Cole was always going to be my choice.
Later that night, back in our apartment, we're lying on the couch. Cole is scrolling through his phone, probably reading congratulatory messages about the game and the engagement. I'm staring at my ring, still not quite believing this is real.
"Hey, look at this," Cole says, turning his phone toward me.
It's Instagram. Liam's account. He posted a photo—him and a brunette woman, both smiling, her hand on his chest.
The caption reads:New city, new start, new chapter.
"He looks happy," I say.
"He does."
"Do you miss him?"
Cole thinks about it. "Sometimes. I miss who we used to be. But I don't miss the fighting or the tension or any of that shit." He sets his phone down and pulls me closer. "You know what I do miss?"
"What?"
"Absolutely nothing. I have everything I need right here."
I roll my eyes. "That was so corny."
"But true."
"But corny."
