“Awwww,” I hear it from the people nearby, making me smile even through the tears.
Then he gets up. My heart is beating so fast I feel dizzy. I’m trying hard to calm myself, but how is that possible when Nickoi is proposing to me?
He reaches for my hand. “Come,” he says softly.
Still in shock, I let him lead me. We walk further down the beach, past the tables, past the candlelight, toward the ocean breeze and the sound of soft waves. That’s when I see it. A heart, outlined in fire, glowing in the sand. We step into the center. The warmth from the flames surrounds us, but I’m already on fire from what’s happening.
I glance up, confused. And that’s when I see them. Not one, but two fire dancers now in the sand. Both dressed in black, barefoot, twirling flame through the night air. One moves left, the other right, circling each other until they come together at the center of the beach. In one sweeping motion, they drag the fire across and then it appears bright, blazing, floating in the night.
ZARA, WILL YOU MARRY ME?
The fire flickers in the dark sky, letters hanging in blue flames. It’s literally so pretty… and poetic. My hands fly to my mouth as tears flow all over again. And when I turn, Nickoi’s already down on one knee. Waiting. Watching. His whole world in his eyes.
“Mi usually woulda say the only time mi drop to mi knees a when mi a pray…”
He chuckles nervously, scanning my face. “… but times change. Now man a propose.” Laughter echoes from the people watching, soft and genuine. Some clap. Some record. But my eyes don’t move from him. Tears bead down my cheeks, hot and quiet. I love this man so much. He holds out the ring, eyes locked on mine like the world stopped spinning.
“Zara… Williams… you a make man change that?”
I don’t answer right away. Not because I don’t know. But because my voice is caught behind my heart. I see the way his chest rises a little harder, like he’s waiting, trying not to look nervous, but I know he is. Who wouldn’t be?
“The man a crease him Clarks enuh!” someone shouts behind me, and that finally makes me laugh.
“Of course,” I say through a watery smile. The crowd breaks out in cheers.
Applause ripples through the beach like waves. He gets up, slipping the ring on my finger before pulling me into him. My arms wrap around his neck, his lips brushing my ear.
“I love you,” he rasps. Whew. That never affi sound so good. Mi feel drunk, but not from liquor. Just… fromhim.
I pull back, staring into his eyes like they’re the only stars that matter. “I love you too,” I whisper.
“Congratulations!” people shout around us as we make our way back to the table.
“Thank you,” I say, still dazed. Nickoi picks up his drink, leans back, and takes a slow sip like nothing could ever touch him now.
“Congratulations to you two,” the chef says, walking out with two more plates in hand.
I smile, cheeks hurting now. “Thank you,” I reply, watching the blueberry cake, across the frosting in delicate gold script:Soon to be Mrs. Jacobs.
“Listennn,” I smile.Damn. Nickoi really knows how to make you happy.
I say a quick prayer, I’m so happy. Every woman deserves this feeling.
8
Links
I wipe my eyes, smiling through the tears. I’m still in awe, Nickoi Jacobs is literally engaged to me. Me. This has to be the happiest I’ve felt in… forever, honestly. I feel high. And I’m not even smoking. It’s that kind of joy that takes over your whole body makes your chest feel light, your cheeks ache from smiling, your brain float like it’s drifting above everything.
Ecstatic. That’s the word.
“I love you so much,” I whisper, still brushing at my tears. “And it’s not even about the fancy stuff you’ve been giving me. It’s just… the feeling. All of it.”
He smiles, that perfect, slow Nickoi smile. He reaches for my hand. And then, just like that, he slides the ring onto my finger.
Applause breaks out around the restaurant, clapping and cheering and phones recording, but I’m stuck right here. In this one second. With him. With this ring. With everything. I laugh softly, still in shock.
Wake me up deh, ‘cause this nuh real.
