“Sure,” Griffin agreed.
“All right, you’re entitled to a prize from this shelf,” the vendor said.
He sounded shocked. I wondered how many people actually managed to win anything.
“You can choose an item yourself, or a surprise one.” He pointed at the ones that were wrapped in velvet bags. “There are several items inside, a true mixed bag. I thought up the concept myself.” He pushed his chest forward, clearly pleased with himself, which made me laugh. But it did sound like a great idea.
“I’ll have a mixed bag, then.”
Jeremy made a beeline to us as the guy gave us one of the bags.
“Jeremy, this is not your gift,” Riley said gently.
“I know, I just want to look. I’m allowed to look, right?”
“Of course you are,” I said. I was planning to share my gifts with him anyway.
I immediately opened the bag and took out several items. One small car—Jeremy was ecstatic, so I gave that to him. Next was a silvery bracelet with stars and things. That was cute. The last item was a…Is that a Ring Pop?
“Wow, I didn’t even know these still existed,” I said. “Isoloved them as a kid.”
This one was berry-flavored, according to the package.
“I know, I tracked down a factory that still produces them.” The guy was good. He’d pegged the nostalgia vibe perfectly.
“I can never open these things,” I said, tearing at the plastic with all my might.
“I’ll do it for you,” Griffin said.
He took it from me and tugged lightly at the package. It opened easily.
I took out the ring proudly and held my hand out to him. “Put that on me.”
The Ring Pop was in the shape of a huge red ruby. I felt like I was a high school girl again.
Griffin looked at me with a twinkle in his eye. “In a second.”
He leaned in, giving me a quick peck on the cheek.
Huh? What was that for?Not that I ever minded him kissing me, but his expression was a bit strange. Then he took a large step back, still holding my Ring Pop.
“What is Uncle… Oh!” Jeremy stopped talking as Griffin lowered himself to one knee.
I swooned as my face exploded in a grin.
“Oh goodness,” Mom whispered behind me.
“Phoebe, I know this is unusual. But then again, everything about our relationship has been like that. Impulsive. Crazy. Whirlwind.”
I stepped a bit closer to him, putting both hands on my belly to try to stop them from shaking.
“I promise I will buy you an actual ring. But today, here with your parents by our side, I would love to ask you to be my wife. Nothing would make me happier than to know you’re mine forever. That we’re together in this wild ride called life. To face everything together. Always.”
Oh my God, how did he come up with this? There was no way he’d thought about this speech before, and yet it was utterly perfect.
“I accept. Of course I accept. I love the ring, by the way.”
Griffin chuckled, but it got stuck in his throat. Then he tried to clear it. He blinked slowly. When he opened his eyes again, I noticed they were a bit glassy.
