Page 4 of When Stars Collide
“I prefer to think of it as enhancing the moment, myself.”
“Speaking of said moment …”
Ordinarily relaxed, Peter’s body tensed around me, like he was subconsciously worried that there was a sliver of a chance that things weren’t going to go as anticipated—as if that would ever happen. Still, even I felt my own pulse quickening. With everything Elle and Luke had gone through—a whirlwind relationship, an abrupt breakup, and their reunion after Luke’s accident a decade later—they deserved a chance to be able to exit the roller coaster they’d both been strapped to and calmly walk hand in hand into the sunset.
Luke turned to face Elle, holding both of her hands in his. Hidden by sunglasses and her hair whipping in the wind, I wasn’t able to get a good look at her face, and I couldn’t help but wonder what was going through her mind at that moment, whether she suspected what was to come. Most of all, I wanted to hear what Luke was saying to her, because I knew damn well that no matter what it was, it would be polished and perfect.Through the beating of my own heart pulsating in my eardrums, I was only able to catch fragments here and there, until the very end, when either my heart rate settled down, or Luke’s nerves had caused him to speak just a smidgen louder.
“Everyone felt sorry for me after the crash because I’d lost a decade of my life, but they were wrong to feel sorry for me—God, Elle, they were so wrong. Because from my perspective, losing those years was a blessing. Elle, I never want to remember a time in my life without you in it, not then, not now, not ever.”
Then in true gentlemanly fashion, Luke knelt down on one knee in front of Elle, whose face had become obscured not by her hair, but by her hands covering her mouth in shock.
“He has got to be in some kind of pain right now,” Peter observed. “His leg isn’t strong enough yet for him to stay in that position for long.”
“What I’d like to know is how he was able to hide that ring box in those shorts he’s wearing,” I observed, watching Luke open the box to reveal a ring so brilliant the sparkle from the diamond could be seen from where we were sitting.
“That’s because I picked it up from the jeweler right before your flight got in.”
“And here I thought that bulge in your pants was because of me.”
“Ellen Rae Sloan …”
“Yes! Oh my God, Luke, yes!”
“Will you marry me?”
Elle jumped into Luke’s arms, toppling him over in the sand. Their bodies shook—a combination of laughter and tears. Peter and I rose to our feet at the top of the dune and watched them like proud parents, letting them have what was undoubtedly the happiest moment of both of their lives up to that point, all to themselves. Only eighteen months ago, I wouldn’t have thought this scenario possible. Now, it all seemed so surreal, like I was in a dream where fairy tales came true and happily ever afters were guaranteed. After all they’d been through—hell, after all the four of us had been through—we deserved to have a moment like this.
“It’s about time you stopped giving that milk away for free,” I called out to Elle. Arm in arm, Peter and I traversed our way down the dune. “My God, I’m so happy for you.” I bent down to drape my arms around her, allowing her excitement to flow through my body like a current.
Elle wiped tears away from her eyes. “You’re going to be my maid of honor, right?” she asked.
“I’m sorry, was there someone else in the running? Of course I will. And with Peter as Luke’s best man, this wedding will be one big, sickening ball of matrimonial bliss.”
“You do know that the best man routinely gives speeches at these things, right?” Peter added.
I nodded. “As does the maid of honor.”
Elle and Luke froze, stealing a glance at each other.
“They’re right,” Luke muttered as though the thought had just struck him over the head. “Perhaps, we should think this one through some more?” He smiled conspiratorially at Elle, who echoed his expression.
“Sure, you could do that,” I agreed, “then Peter and I wouldn’t feel pressured to stay sober during the ceremony.”
“What makes you think we assumed you were going to be sober, anyway?” Luke countered.
“Touché.”
Peter slapped Luke on the shoulder. “I know it’s kind of early in the game, but do you have any idea when this shindig is going to take place?”
Luke smiled at Elle, resting his hand on hers. “If I have my way, the sooner the better.”
“I agree.” Elle smiled back at Luke, completely oblivious to the world.
“Aw … you guys are gross. What month is soon in, anyway?” I turned to Peter inquisitively.
He shrugged. “Falltober? Winterary?”
Elle peered at Luke, perhaps attempting to read his thoughts via eye contact. “I’m thinking more during the warmer months. Spring or summer?”
