I pull out my phone, biting on my bottom lip, only to be extremely disappointed when I see Max’s name on the screen. I don’t know why I’d hoped it would be Trevor. He doesn’t even have my number.
But he is a famous celebrity and if he wanted to get my number, he could have asked the casting director…
I shrug off the thought and see what Julie’s boyfriend has messaged me.
Max:hey can you call me as soon as you can without Julie knowing about it?
Well, it’s not as good as a text from Trevor, but my curiosity is piqued, that’s for sure. I call him.
“Wow, that was fast,” he says with a chuckle.
“I’m dying to know why Julie can’t know that we’re talking,” I say, even though I’m fairly certain I know the reason.
“I’m going to propose,” he says.
I let out a little squeak of excitement. “I am so excited!”
“Me too,” he says bashfully. “I’ve been looking for the perfect engagement ring and I’ve narrowed it down to my three favorites. I was wondering if you could come help me choose the perfect one?”
“Oh my gosh, yes,” I say. My best friend deserves the absolute best ring in the entire world and I would love to help make sure she gets it. We decide to meet up at the custom jeweler he’s using in two hours. That gives me just enough time to head home, shower the sweat off, and make up an excuse about why I’m going out and why Julie can’t come with me.
Luckily, Julie is busy writing her next novel, so she doesn’t even ask to come with me when I tell her I’m heading out to run errands. She’s also so busy that she doesn’t notice how weird I’m acting. I’m trying really hard to play it cool and calm so she doesn’t realize something sneaky is happening. I think I pull it off.
I’ve never seen Max so flustered when we pick out the ring. It’s adorable and it makes me long for my own future romance one day. I know in recent years I’ve basically given up the hope that I’d ever find a man worthy of my time, but now my thoughts are changing. Now, I wish I would find someone like that. Someone like Trevor.
But this isn’t about me. It’s my best friend’s time to shine right now. Max shows me the options and it’s easy for me to pick the best one. A gorgeous round solitaire diamond and a platinum band with tiny little diamonds all around it. It’s elegant and sparkly and Julie will love it.
“So how are you proposing?” I ask after we’ve chosen the perfect ring and he finishes paying for it.
“I know Julie will want something simple, so I’m proposing at her house,” he says. “On the back porch, actually. It’s where we first kissed, so it’s sentimental. But I also know that she’ll want to celebrate the event, so my plan is to have you and all her friends secretly meet up at the diner. I’ll propose, and then—” he swallows. “Assuming she says yes…”
“She will!” I say, lightly punching him in the arm. “She totally will say yes!”
“Assuming she does, I’ll tell her we should celebrate at Roger’s Diner since she loves the place so much. And when we arrive, I’ll have the entire party room filled with her friends and food.”
“And decorations!” I say.
He quirks an eyebrow. “Only if you help me with these decorations?”
“Of course. I’ll set up the engagement party at the diner—you handle the proposal and I’ll make the celebration party perfect.”
He grins. “Thanks, Annie. Can you help me invite everyone?”
“Yep,” I say, bouncing on my toes while we walk along the sidewalk of the historic shopping center in Sterling. “I’m so excited. Thank you for letting me help.”
“Thank you for helping,” he says, taking a deep breath. “I’m really excited but I’m scared.”
“Don’t be scared. She loves you, and she can’t wait to be your wife.”
He smiles down at me, the muscley carpenter acting all swoony and in love. It’s really sweet. True love if you ever saw it.
“You can bring someone, too,” he says. “If you’re dating someone or whatever. A plus one.”
I frown. “Eh… if I happen to meet a handsome man in the next two days, then sure.”
He laughs. “Don’t give up. I almost did, but then I met Julie.”
I hug him goodbye and then head to the nearest coffee shop so I can load up on caffeine before I start planning this epic proposal celebration party at the diner. He plans to propose tomorrow night, so I’m on a short time frame but I have no doubt that I’ll get the party all ready to go in no time at all. I’ll recruit the diner’s waitstaff to help me. They all adore Julie and will no doubt be excited to help.
