“What about the trip to Italy? That’s a pretty big surprise.”
The first surprise of Hazel’s birthday was two first-class tickets to Italy for a week-long stay. We’re going to Rome and Venice, then we’ll spend two days touring wineries before ending up in Sicily for the end of our trip.
“Maybe so. But I still have another one.”
Hazel leans against me as we walk down the sidewalk. Her hair brushes my chin, soft and fragrant with the scent of roses and vanilla. I kiss the top ofher head, closing my eyes as I commit this perfect moment to memory—holding the woman I love in the town that’s become home, with a hopeful future filled with joy stretching out ahead of me.
As we enter the town park, Hazel lifts her head from my shoulder. “Is the surprise in the park?”
“Sort of.” I lead her along the meandering path that leads to the little gazebo at the center of it. “It’s part of it, at least.”
“It’s beautiful out here,” she comments. “With the fresh snow—” Her eyes rise to the flakes fluttering around us. “And the lamps all glowy?—”
My lips twitch. “Youdolike glowy stuff, don’t you?”
A giggle escapes. “I likesomeglowy stuff. Like lights in the snow. And Christmas trees.”
“And me naked beside it?”
“Especially that.”
“Well. I think we might have to save being naked and glowy until later. But.” I angle my chin towards the gazebo ahead of us. “This is kind of sparkly and glowy, too.”
Now that we’re close enough, she gets her first glimpse of the gazebo all set up for the occasion. It’s draped with white twinkle lights all along the railings and exposed rafters, sparkling like tiny gems in the moonlight. The floor of the gazebo is covered with dark pink rose petals, and large clusters of matching roses are set in a large circle around them.
“Alec!” Hazel turns to me. “What is this?”
“It’s part of the surprise.” Leading her up the three stairs into the gazebo, I take her to the center of it. “I know you love this place. And the park especially.”
A light breeze blows dark strands of hair into her face. I push them back behind her ear, then adjust her collar so it’s protecting her neck.
Her expression shifts from surprise to something more serious. “I do love it out here. This was one of the first things that made me fall in love with the town. But there’s another reason I love the park.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s where our story started. The first time we really talked—not just a brief conversation at Blissful Brews, but really talked—was here. It was Taste of Bliss, and we were waiting in the same line?—”
“For those white chocolate macadamia cookies.”
She smiles. “Yes. And there was just something about you. From that moment on, I couldn’t stop thinking about you. Wishing things were different.”
“Haze.”
“It’s okay. It all worked out. We found our way to each other. And we’re happy. Living together. Meeting friends and family. And?—”
“Being engaged?”
Hazel’s eyes go big. “What?”
Shit. I hadn’t meant for it to just come out like that.
Heart pounding, I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Engaged. That’s what we’re missing. Being engaged. Planning to get married.”
Tentatively, she asks, “What are you saying?”
Feeling slightly sick with nerves, I reach into my pocket and pull out a small velvet pouch. Then I drop to one knee as I open the pouch and remove the ring tucked inside.
I hold the ring out to her with a trembling hand. “I didn’t want to keep it in the box. I was afraid the bulge in my pocket might give it away. But I have the box back at home, if you want it.”
