“I just never grew up having the privilege towantthings.” I cleared my throat.
“I can understand that.” He processed straightening the collar of my coat.
“So whats your definition of ‘treating yourself,’ then?” I asked him.
“Something that lasts,” he said simply.
I rolled my eyes. “Of course you’d say that. You’re probably the kind of person who invests in, like, diamond bracelets or something.”
He laughed, the sound low and warm. “And what’s wrong with diamonds?”
“Nothing,” I said, grinning. “Just that they’re very… you.”
We wandered further into the market, stopping occasionally to browse the stalls. Wynter insisted on buying me a cup of hot chocolate despite my protests, and I had to admit it was the best I’d ever had—rich, creamy, and topped with a cloud of whipped cream.
At some point, he led me to a quieter corner of the market where the stalls were spaced further apart. The lights here were softer, the snow falling gently around us like tiny stars. I was so focused on the way the snowflakes sparkled in Wynter’s hair that I almost didn’t notice the familiar blue-and-gold box he pulled out of his coat pocket.
I froze.
“Wait,” I said, my voice catching. “Is that…?”
“The necklace you saw at Versace, Sydney said you’d wanted it ,” he finished for me, holding it up. The delicate gold chain gleamed in the soft light, the pendant—a tiny North Star charm encrusted with diamonds—catching every sparkle.
“But… it was reserved,” I stammered, staring at him. “They said someone had already claimed it.”
“That’s because I claimed it,” he said simply.
My mouth fell open. “You what?”
“It was reserved forme,” he said, his tone casual, though the faintest hint of a smile tugged at his lips. “Ambassador perks.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “And you’re just… giving it to me?”
“Who else more deserving, darling?” he said, stepping closer. He reached up, brushing a strand of hair away from my face. “I’m asking you to be my girlfriend.”
The words hung in the air, soft and steady, like they belonged there.
“Wynter…” I started, but he silenced me with a small shake of his head.
“Don’t overthink it,” he said, his voice quieter now, almost gentle. “Just… say yes if it feels right, If you want to.”
I looked at him, at the way his usual teasing smirk was nowhere to be found, replaced by something so earnest it made my chest ache. And then I thought about everything—his steady presence, his quiet confidence, the way he always seemed to know exactly what to say to get under my skin in the best way possible.
I smiled tears glistening in my eyes, my breathing ragged in disbelief of this moment I’d dreamed of since I was a little girl. “Okayfinesince you’re practically begging me—“
The word came out before I could second-guess it, and Wynter’s face broke into a rare, genuine smile—so full of warmth it could’ve melted the snow around us. He interrupted me with a hug sweeping me up into arms and we both laughed.
I didn’t know before— no one told me that love could be so easy. So peaceful, feel so right.
He stepped behind me, the necklace glinting between his fingers as he fastened it around my neck. The pendant felt cool against my skin, a reminder of how surreal this moment was.
When he stepped back in front of me, his hands resting lightly on my shoulders, he tilted his head slightly. “Diamonds look perfect on you.”
“You’re so…,” I said, though my voice was soft, my smile betraying how I really felt.
“And you’re mine now,” he said, his voice full of quiet certainty.
“Rephrase that.” I ordered.
