Page 62 of Love Rescheduled

I hid my groan. My best friends loved this. It was basically a game of which celebrity you would hook up with. My answer was always none of them. One time I even brought up a study about the myths of hookup culture and how really most women and men wanted stable, loving, monogamous relationships. We got a lot of comments agreeing, wishing society didn’t put such pressure on people to quote, unquote hook up. Regardless, Jolene and Tara loved fantasizing about which famous men they would ravish if given the opportunity.

“We’re going to change it up a bit since it’s the day of love and ask if you would marry said celebrity. Are you ready?”

I definitely was. I was going to pass on each one.

“Here we go: Tom Holland.”

“Marry,” Tara was quick to say.

“Pass,” for me.

“Hmm,” Josh contemplated. “That’s a tough one.” Josh was so goofy. “If he’s in the spidey suit, I’d totally put a ring on it.”

We all giggled.

“I think I’m going to have to pass,” Jolene agreed with me. “I need a bigger guy. Up next: Ryan Reynolds.”

“Oh, baby, totally walking down the aisle,” Tara said.

“Definitely,” Jolene agreed.

Josh raised his hand. “Count me in.”

“He’s very married. Pass.” I was always the Debbie Downer.

We did a few more rounds. And then … Jolene flashed me a devious grin before she said, “Our last celebrity of the night is … Josh Keller. I think we are going to let our wallflower answer first.”

All eyes landed on me, but it was Josh’s that I peered into, my heart beating out of control. His deep-chocolate eyes, boring into me, said this wasn’t a game to him. “What’s your answer?” he pleaded.

“Josh,” I whispered, gripping his hand on my thigh.

“Yes,” he said sexily.

Everyone was going to know my identity after this. I had a feeling it was all part of the plan. Yes, this was well-orchestrated—that I knew. It had Josh written all over it. I also knew being with Josh wouldn’t allow me to stay hidden in the shadows forever. I was kind of tired of hiding anyway. But … he deserved to sweat a bit for this little ruse he had cooked up with my best friends. He was obviously tired of waiting for me to ask for the ring. Oh, I was going to ask for it all right.

“It all depends on what the ring looks like,” I called his bluff. Surely he didn’t have it on him.

His face broke out in the hugest Cheshire grin as he let go of my hand and reached into his jeans pocket.

Blast him. I should have known he would be one step ahead of me.

He pulled out the most gorgeous vintage Arles diamond ring I had ever seen. It was elegant and not flashy in the least bit. Perfect for the introvert in his life. He held it up between us.

I stared, mesmerized by it, by him. A lump in my throat swelled. He’d carried the ring with him for over three years. He’d held on to me after I had pushed him away. The emotion of it all had me speechless.

“Natalie Archer. Oops, I wasn’t supposed to use your name.” He smirked.

My best friends thought it was hilarious.

“I hope you love this ring, because I love you. I know I was supposed to wait for you to ask for it, but I can’t wait any longer. And the way I see it, we are way behind schedule as it is. So, please say you’ll smash me. Marry me?”

I took off my headphones and grabbed his cute face, so badly wanting to smash him. “I love you, Josh Keller. I would love to be your wife.”

“Woo-hoo!” Tara and Jolene shouted.

Josh placed the ring on my finger before pressing a kiss to my lips. “You’re going to kill me for this later, aren’t you?”

“Oh yeah.”

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