Ivy laughed softly.“Nah, there’s plenty more magic where that came from.Anyway, glad to hear it, and we’ll let you guys get on with your lazy day.It sounds awesome.”
It did.Just the possibility of having a lazy day alone with Tristan felt awesome.“Enjoy your visit with your sister.Bye.”They hugged, then Tristan handed her a to-go cup from Whale’s Tale.
“Up for a walk on the beach?”he asked.
“Sure.What’s in the bag?”Something fattening and delicious, she hoped.
“You’ll see in a bit.”
He tucked the bag under his arm, laced his fingers through hers, and they crossed Front Street.The beach was practically empty as they walked along the edge of the damp band of beach yards from where the rollers slid across the sand.Her hat protected her ears from the cold wind.It had died down to sharp gusts now.
She sipped her chai latte and lost herself in the moment.Tristan’s hand was warm around hers, his quiet, solid presence setting her mind and body at ease while the roar of the surf filled the air.She felt safe.She felt completely free and filled with excitement about her brand-new life stretching out before her.
Tristan glanced down at her, gave her a quizzical grin when he saw she was smiling.“What?”
“I’m just happy.Unbelievably happy.”
His expression changed, growing serious.He stopped walking and drew her to him, surrounding her in a one-armed hug.“Me too.Happier than I’ve ever been.”
Lord, the man was gorgeous.Got her heart pounding without even trying.He didn’t often talk about his feelings, but when he did, it was always profound.“I’m glad.”
“There’s one thing that would make me even happier.”
She frowned, his cryptic tone throwing her.“What?”
His arm eased from around her.He held her gaze, his expression so intense as he slowly sank to one knee before her.
For a moment, she told herself she was dreaming or at least imagining things.But she held her breath, pulse drumming in her ears as he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small black velvet box.
She gasped.Was this really happening?
He flicked the lid open to reveal a ring.She barely glanced at it, her eyes shooting back to his.It is.This is happening.
“Will you marry me, Cass?”
Her hand flew to her mouth.She blinked as tears rushed to her eyes.She wanted to ask him if he was sure, held the words back because she didn’t want to spoil the moment, and besides, she could see everything she needed to know in his face.
He loved her.Unconditionally, flaws and all.And he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.
“Yes,” she choked out, dropping to her knees in front of him and throwing her arms around his broad shoulders.“Yes, I’ll marry you.”
He expelled a hard breath and crushed her to him.“I love you so much.”
“Love you too.”She wiped at her eyes, pulled back and grabbed the box from his hand.“Let me see it.”The center stone was a round amethyst, with a small diamond on each side of it where it met the delicate, white gold band.
Her birth stone.He’d bought her a dainty, perfect ring made with her birthstone.
She pressed her lips together for a moment.“It’s beautiful,” she whispered, completely overcome.“Put it on me, quick.”She stuck out her left hand, waited impatiently while he grinned and plucked it from its velvet bed to slide it onto her ring finger.
She only had a moment to admire the sight of it sparkling in the sunshine before he went and made her heart roll over in her chest by bending his head and pressing a kiss to her knuckle just above the band.
Cassie took his face in her hands and kissed him, pouring the depths of her heart, the very essence of her soul into it.When she eased back, the unwavering love in his eyes made her teary all over again.“How long have you been planning this?”
“Since Vegas.”
That surprised her.They’d briefly talked about the idea of marriage that night, but she hadn’t realized he’d been so serious.And she’d also been drunk.“Does Gav know?”
“No.I thought about telling him, but I wanted to make sure this was a surprise for everyone.”
