His response? “I bet it’s great.”
I suppose. “I hope my dad doesn’t feel like he has to buy us dinner. I brought some money.”
“Babe, this is a date. Please don’t insult me by saying you’ll pay.”
“I’m just—”
He kisses the side of my head. “You’re sweet, but you need to let me do this, honey.”
“Fine.” I sigh. But I’m definitely not getting the expensive steak. “I think I’ll have chicken.”
“No.” Nash turns to face me. “You said, back at your dad’s place, that you wanted steak. Order the damn steak.”
“Fine,” I say again, this time snappier. “I’m getting steak and shrimp.”
Just as the waitress appears to take our drink orders, I watch as Nash turns in his chair. I look back and can’t believe who I see. “Andi? Bonnie?” Nash stands and I follow suit.
As the two approach, Andi runs into her dad’s arms. “Daddy!”
“Hi, pumpkin.” He kisses the top of her head and releases her.
Bonnie steps up to me, giving me a hug. Then Andi steps over to me next. “Izzy!”
I wrap her up in my arms and hug her tight. “What a surprise!”
“I know.” Andi giggles. “It’s supposed to be.”
“It is?” I’m confused. Turning to Nash, I’m about to ask him what’s going on when he takes Andi’s hand and moves to kneel. Andi kneels right beside him.
Oh, my goodness….
“You once told me that a proposal should be special. It should be planned. Well, I hope this one is okay for you, sweet Isabelle.”
Nodding, I place my hands over my face. Tears have already started to fall.
“I couldn’t think of a better way to do this than to have everyone who loves you standing with you.”
I sniffle, and I’m pretty sure there was a sob. A happy one.
“So, Isabelle Renee Harmon, Andi and I have a question for you.”
I look down at Andi, Nash’s mini-me. She’s got a small black box in her hands. It’s open, revealing a sparkling diamond ring. Then she asks, “Will you marry us?”
And that’s it. I’m bawling. And it’s not quiet. Hands down, it’s the best proposal ever.
“Well?” asks my father. “Quit crying, girl, and answer.”
I can’t speak, so I nod so fast I’m sure I look like a woodpecker. “Yes,” I finally squeak out. “Of course.”
Nash pulls the ring from the box and takes my left hand in his. I watch as he slides the ring on my finger. It’s a simple band with one stone. A sizeable stone, but not too big. Seconds after that, I’m wrapped up in a hug by Nash and Andi. I hear clapping around us and notice the other diners must have enjoyed watching that play out.
When I pull away and look at my family, they’re all smiling, but nobody looks surprised. “Were you all in on this?”
Catching my dad’s eye, I walk to him first and wrap my arms around him carefully. With my head on his chest, I ask, “You knew?”
“You think that boy would’ve proposed without asking my permission?”
I shake my head. “And you agreed?”
