Scarlet sang the refrain again, the song ended, and Gwen turned to me. She jumped backward when she finally put it all together.
“That song was about us, and now you’re doingthis?”
Tears were streaming down her face as she looked at me. Then the spotlight hit our box, and the crowd cheered even louder.
“Now we’ve got an audience,” I said. “And we’reallwaiting for your answer.”
Gwen snapped back into reality and tackled me to the ground, laughing and crying at the same time. I glanced up at the screen just outside the box and saw that only Gwen’s high heels were visible.
But this was life with her. Topsy turvy, unpredictable, joyful fun. Passion, adventure, and a best friend for life.
At least I hoped so.
I held her close to me, still on the ground with her on top of me.
“So that’s a yes?” I asked her.
“Oh my God, yes,” she giggled. “Sorry I didn’t say it. I thought the tackle was enough of an answer.”
“Maybe we should get up, and you can put on the ring?”
“The ring! That’s right, I get aring!”
We untangled and stood up, getting another roar from the crowd when Gwen waved at them. I took her hand and slid the ring on. Her mouth dropped open when she looked at it.
“It’s gigantic,” she squealed. “It’s perfect!”
I’d taken my time making sure I found the right one: a five-carat round brilliant cut on a diamond and platinum band.
Gwen held her hand up toward the crowd, and the camera zoomed in on the ring, resulting in more screaming.
“Damn,” Scarlet said from the stage. “Nowthat’sa diamond. And since we’re talking gemstones, how about a song on the subject?”
She launched into “Mood Ring,” and Gwen and I moved closer to slow dance.
“Get a room, you two.”
It was Drew, followed by Logan.
I’d known they were coming, but I wasn’t quite ready to let go of Gwen. “Hey, guys. Welcome.”
“Logan! Drew! Oh my gosh, hi,” Gwen said excitedly. She turned to me. “You planned all of this?”
“And then some,” I nodded and kissed the top of her head.
We all took turns hugging and admiring how the ring looked on Gwen’s finger.
“I heard there’s going to be a wedding?”
We turned to find my dad and Gwen’s father walking in together.
“Dad?” Gwen’s voice trembled. She ran toward him, and he gathered her up in his arms and swung her around. When he set her down, she ran over to hug my father as well.
“I can’t believe you did all of this,” Gwen said as she swiped the tears under her eyes.
“Oh, there’s more,” I chuckled.
By the time the concert ended, our box was full. Sarah had joined us with her new boyfriend, Ted, along with Kevin and Sydney, who both finally felt ready for a night out without their baby boy, Jack. It was a room filled with love, and I was so happy we could all be together to celebrate what was to come.
