Page 249 of Things We Never Got Over (Knockemout)
I nodded. Unable to speak. First Waylay’s party. Then the discussion on kids. Now, the house of my dreams. I felt like Knox had asked me to write down a list of everything I’d wanted and set about making it all happen.
Liza reached out and gave my hand a squeeze. “Good talk. Imma go see if we can cut into those cakes yet.”
I was still staring at the chair she vacated when Stef appeared in the hallway.
“Waylay needs you, Witty,” he said.
I snapped out of my daze. “Okay. Where is she?”
He hooked his thumb in the direction of the backyard. “Out back. You okay?” he asked with a knowing grin.
I shook my head. “Knox just snuck me away for a quickie, told me he wants to have more kids with me, and then Liza gave us this house.”
Stef let out a low whistle. “Sounds like you could use a drink.”
“Or seven.”
He escorted me through the dining room, where there just happened to be two flutes of champagne waiting. He handed one to me, and we exited through the sun-room doors onto the deck.
“SURPRISE!”
I took a step back and clutched a hand to my heart as a large portion of the citizens of Knockemout cheered from the yard below.
“It’s not a surprise party, you guys,” I told them.
There was a ripple of laughter, and I wondered why they were all looking so happy, like they were anticipating something.
My parents stood off to the side of the deck with Liza and Waylay, all grinning at me.
“What’s going on?” I turned to Stef, but he was backing away and blowing me kisses.
“Naomi.”
I turned and found Knox standing behind me, his face so serious my stomach dropped.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, twisting around and looking to see if someone was hurt or missing. But all our people were here. Everyone we cared about was right here in this yard, smiling.
He had a box in his hand. A small, black velvet box.
Oh my God.
I peered over my shoulder at Waylay, worried I was ruining her party. The day was about her, not me. But she was holding my mom’s hand and bouncing on her toes, the biggest smile I’d ever seen on her face.
“Naomi,” Knox said again.
I turned back to him and pressed my fingers to my mouth.
“Yes?” It came out as a muffled squeak.
“Told you I wanted a wedding.”
I nodded, not trusting my voice anymore.
“But I didn’t tell you why.”
He took a step forward, then another one until we were standing toe-to-toe.
I felt like I couldn’t quite catch my breath.
