Page 102 of Fake It Till We Fall
I pressed a kiss to the amethyst, thankful I’d kept it all these years, before turning my attention to Harper’s other hand.
We were both shaking as I slipped the engagement ring onto her finger. A perfect fit.
“It’s beautiful.”
“You’re beautiful.”
I pulled her in for a kiss and lifted us both to our feet in the same move, needing to hold her properly. My fiancée.
My love.
My future.
A chorus of cheers and congratulations rose up behind us. With Harper still in my arms, we turned to see Kevin, Erin, some of the part-time staff, and of course, Willa, watching us.
Earlier in the day, I’d visited Willa and asked her for Harper’s hand in marriage. It was an outdated tradition, and I of course already knew what she’d say, but Willa appreciated the gesture. And I knew it would be important to Harper that her grandmother was there to witness the moment.
“Congratulations, you two,” Erin said.
Kevin clapped and whooped. “Incredible.”
But it was Willa who walked slowly toward us, tears in her eyes, arms outstretched for a big hug. “I couldn’t be happier for you both,” she said as we embraced. “I just love you both so much.”
After a few moments, Erin interrupted. “I think this calls for a bottle of bubbly.”
“Yes!” Willa pulled away and swiped at her eyes. “Everyone out to the dining room for a toast.”
The others moved first, but Harper pulled me back before we could follow.
“I love you, Grayson Lyons,” she said simply.
I cupped her cheeks in my hands and held her gently before pressing my forehead to hers. “Wherever this life takes us,” I pulled back to look in her eyes, “I will always be by your side. Because there will never be even one second of my life where I don’t love you, Harper.”
We stayed that way for a minute, soaking in the moment and everything it meant, before we heard the cork pop in the other room. “We should get out there and celebrate properly.”
With a laugh, hand in hand, we joined the others to raise a glass to toast to us and our future.
We moved out to the dining room bar, where Willa already had a bottle of prosecco and a tray full of glasses.
There were still a handful of diners, finishing up their meals. Including, I noticed belatedly, my brother Brody and Lauren tucked into a corner table.
“What are those two doing?” Harper asked before I could say anything. “I thought they weren’t together.”
“They’re not.” I shook my head. “And from what I understand, Lauren is on some sort of dating quest, but apparently it’s tradition for the two of them to spend Valentine’s Day together.”
“Hmm.” Harper shook her head.
“Maybe we should get Willa to give them a little nudge? She seems to have a way of bringing people together.”
I winked at her, and Willa shrugged. “Say the word, and I’ll go work my magic.”
“Later,” I said firmly. “Tonight is about us.” I took a glass that Erin had poured and handed it to my fiancée as everyone else took one and raised it for a toast.
“To Wander & Whisk,” I started. “The hardware store, and of course, more importantly…to…” My throat tightened as I looked at Harper. “To forever.”
“Forever,” Harper echoed, clinking her glass against mine before we each took a sip.
I kissed her temple and held her close. She’d been my first love. My only love. And now, standing in her restaurant, hearing the people we cared about cheering around us, I knew she’d be my last love, too.
