“That’s okay.” He smiles. “If you like it, that’s the perfect gift.”
As I look at the box, my heart flutters. It’s the right size for a ring, but we haven’t even talked about something like that.
“It’s not that,” Alec adds quietly. “Not yet.” Hestrokes my cheek. “But I will. When we both think the time is right. That’s a promise.”
My chest squeezes.
“When you ask, I’ll say yes,” I tell him. “That’s a promise, too.”
Emotion tightens his features. “Okay. Good.” Swallowing hard, he nods at the box in my hand. “Open it.”
His arm slides around me as I lift the lid of the box. “I picked it because it… Well. You’ll see.”
I lift the lid slowly, wanting to treasure each moment.
Finally, I open the box to reveal a sparkling necklace inside.
“Alec.”
“It’s a key,” he says unnecessarily. “Well, a key necklace. Not a real key.” A nervous tremor shakes his voice. “Obviously, it’s not a real key. That would be weird. But?—”
“It’s gorgeous.” And it is. The small rose gold key is decorated with tiny diamonds and hangs from a delicate, shimmering chain. It’s the perfect size to rest at my collarbone, picking up the light and casting rainbows from the perfect facets of the gems.
“I wanted something that represents how I feel about you,” he explains. “And a key…” He swallows. “Before you, I kept my heart locked up. I thought it was safer that way. But you showed up with the key. And you unlocked my heart. You showed me what it really means to be in love.”
“Alec.” My voice wobbles.
“That’s why I picked this necklace. Because you hold the key to my heart. I know that sounds cheesy, but it’s true.”
Tears prick at my eyes. “It’s not cheesy. It’s beautiful.” I kiss him hard. “And you hold the key to my heart, too.”
Alec stares at me, emotions working in his gaze. “I love you, Haze. So much.”
“I love you, too.” I take the necklace from the box with trembling fingers. “And I love this. It’s perfect.”
“No.” Alec takes the necklace from me and fastens it around my neck. “You’reperfect, sweetheart. And I feel so damn lucky to have found you.”
“We’re both lucky,” I tell him.
And we are. In so many ways.
When I came here, I thought Bliss was just an aspirational name for a town.
But now I know the truth of it.
I found my own Bliss. Right here. With Alec.
EPILOGUE
3 MONTHS LATER
ALEC
My stomach has been jumpingall night.
As delicious as all the food looks, with mountains of crispy wings, five types of pizzas overflowing with toppings, rich buffalo chicken dip, and mini burgers, just to start, it’s been a struggle to get down more than a few bites.
I keep trying because I don’t want Hazel to suspect anything. Or to think I’m sick and insist on going home early, which would completely ruin my plans for the night.
