“I love you so damn much, Phoebe,” he said while putting on the ring.
“I love you too,” I whispered.
He kissed me again chastely. I kissed him right back until I felt the ring slip back down my finger. I gasped, jumping back from the kiss.
“Whoops. I saved it,” I said, holding the ring between my forefinger and thumb. I didn’t want to risk losing it, and I wasn’t going to eat it either. I was going to keep this forever and ever.
“Congratulations, dear,” Mom said. She hugged me as Dad shook hands with Griffin.
“Son, this was unexpected.”
“Sir, I’m sorry. I promise that I will formally ask you for her hand before I propose with a real ring.”
“You have my approval anyway, but asking never hurts.”
While Dad hugged me, I heard Jeremy ask Riley under his breath, “Why did Griffin give her a fake ring?”
“Because that’s what he wanted. Maybe that’s how he planned it,” Duncan said.
“Well, that’s not a very good plan, then, is it?” Jeremy asked, and we all burst out laughing. “I’m sorry I said that, Uncle Griffin.”
Griffin grinned. “No, you’re not, buddy. You’re just sorry that I heard you. But don’t worry, we still love you.”
Jeremy’s face lit up. “So, Phoebe, you’re part of the family now?”
“Yes,” Griffin replied instantly.
I was so blissfully happy, I couldn’t even put it in words. I wanted to tell Griffin so many things, but we had to wait until we were alone.
Jeremy threw his arms around me, and I hugged him right back. Glancing at Mom, I realized she was barely holding back tears.
“Mom, did you take pictures to send to Nana?” I asked.
“No. I was too surprised.”
“Doesn’t matter,” I said. “She’ll be happy anyway.”
“All right, then,” Dad said.
“Uncle Griffin, are you still going to play and try to win something for me?” Jeremy asked, sounding a bit shy.
“Sure he is,” I told him. “Now that he’s already won something, luck is on his side.”
“Really?” Jeremy asked.
I nodded. Oh yeah. As far as I was concerned, that’s how luck worked.
“I’ll pay for another round,” Duncan told the vendor.
The guy was still looking at us, totally stunned. “This has never happened here. I’m going to buy more of those rings.”
“You do that,” I said.
“Although, I don’t know many blokes who’d have the balls to propose with a fake ring.” He’d said that more to himself than to us, but since Griffin and I were right next to him, we heard him loud and clear.
Griffin laughed, putting his mouth to my ear. “Well, that works for us, doesn’t it?”
“Oh my God. Yes, it does. Fake ring for a fake start.”
