I step inside, stopping for a minute to take in the two families and the girl who’s quickly stolen my heart.My life is so full now.My days of partying are over.The playboy life I’d grown weary of has come to an end.For the first time in forever, I feel like an adult and totally focused on what I want, knowing exactly how to make it happen.
I take a deep breath and shake out my hands, something I’ve done before every big game I’ve ever played.This isn’t a game, though.But there’s so much on the line, and I could easily end up losing everything.
I grab the tickets from the drawer, along with the turquoise box I hid from Bianca.“It’s now or never.I’ve got this,” I tell myself.
Hiding the box underneath the tickets, I head back to the patio and my girl.She turns to me with a beautiful smile, figuring I’m about to make our families happy, but she has no idea the shit I have up my sleeve.
I clear my throat, and slowly the chatter at the table dies down as both families turn to face me.“Bianca and I want to thank everyone for coming today.”
Bianca slides out of her chair and comes to stand at my side.
“I know we’re all excited about the football season that starts next week and Bianca’s new book that’ll be coming out in the spring.We wanted to celebrate our success with each of you, and I couldn’t think of a better gift than season tickets for everyone.”
I wave the tickets in the air before handing them off to Angelo who takes two and passes them on.Bianca’s brothers and father are in shock as they stare down at their season ticket passes.
“They’re for the family section,” I tell them.“Open bar, food, everything’s taken care of.”
“Dude, this is huge,” Luis says and isn’t a dick.
It’s progress.
“You didn’t have to do this, son,” Mr.Hernandez says to me, but I can tell he’s happy.
Mrs.Hernandez isn’t so impressed, but she puts on a good game face.
Bianca’s beaming at my side.“They’re happy,” she says.
“One more thing,” I say, taking her hand and placing the tiny box in her palm.
She stares down at the cardboard box wrapped in white ribbon.“What’s this?”
“Open it,” I tell her and push the box closer to her.
Her hands shake as she works at the ribbon, and I drop to my knee.The celebration of the family quickly ceases, and I know all eyes are on us.
Tears form in Bianca’s eyes as she opens the box, and her gaze falls to me.“Vinnie, you can’t—”
“Bianca,” I interrupt and grab her hand as she stares down at the diamond ring.“I always thought I was happy, but I never knew true happiness until the day you walked into my life.”
“Vinnie,” she whispers, tears starting to stream down her cheeks.
“I know we’ve only known each other for a short time, but they say when you meet the person you’re meant to spend a lifetime loving, you know it.I’ve never said these words to anyone except the people sitting behind me.I don’t say them easily or without meaning them completely.I love you, Bianca.I want you to be my wife.Will you marry me?”
There’s a collective gasp from the families as the last sentence leaves my mouth.Bianca’s in tears as I grab her hand and take the ring from between her two fingers.
“It doesn’t have to be now.We can get married next spring after the season’s over, but I want everyone to know I’m yours and you’re mine.I love you with every fiber of my being, baby.Say you’ll be mine forever.”
She hasn’t said anything yet.Just cried.I’m about to panic and lose my shit.Maybe I was totally off base and she’s more in love with my cock than me.We’ve never even said I love you to each other, but I know who I want, and it’s her.
I’m holding the ring in front of her finger, waiting for a reply.Her mouth opens and closes, and I’m readying myself for the big denial I dreaded and knew could come.
“Yes.Oh my God, yes.”She flings herself into my arms before I have a chance to slide the ring onto her finger.She kisses my cheeks and then my lips, mumbling, “Yes,” over and over again.
I slide one arm around her, holding her tight, knowing I’m the luckiest son of a bitch in the world.“Your hand, baby.Give me your hand.”
She holds out her hand, and it’s still shaking as I slide the ring onto her finger.“I love you,” I whisper.
“I love you too,” she says with a small laugh before wiping away her tears.The sunlight splinters off the diamond, and she angles her hand away from her face, staring down at it.
