"I bought this ring two months ago," Mac admitted. "I've been carrying it around like an idiot, waiting for the perfect moment. And then I realized, there is no perfect moment. There's just... us. Right here. Right now."
He dropped to one knee.
"Rachel Morrison. You are the love of my life. You're my best friend, my favorite person, the reason I smile like an idiot every morning. I want to wake up next to you every day for the rest of my life. I want to fight about the French press and argue about book organization and adopt way too many cats together."
Rachel laughed through her tears.
"So." Mac opened the box, revealing a simple diamond ring that caught the fairy lights and sparkled. "Will you marry me?"
Rachel stared at him for a long moment.
Then she pulled him to his feet and kissed him so hard he stumbled backward into the gazebo railing.
"Is that a yes?" Mac gasped when they finally broke apart.
"Yes. Obviously yes. A thousand times yes." Rachel was crying and laughing at the same time. "Did you really think I'd say no?"
"I mean, statistically speaking, there was always a chance—"
"Mac."
"Yes?"
"Shut up and put the ring on my finger."
Mac's hands were shaking as he slid the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly. Of course it did, he'd enlisted Sophie to secretly find out her ring size weeks ago.
"I love you," Rachel said, admiring the ring, then looking up at him with so much joy Mac thought his heart might explode. "I love you so much."
"I love you too." Mac pulled her close, resting his forehead against hers. "Forever. I promise."
"Forever," Rachel agreed.
The news spread through the festival in approximately thirty seconds.
Luke was the first to reach them, pulling them both into a bone-crushing hug. "I KNEW IT! I knew he was planning something! I'm so happy for you guys!"
"Luke," Mac wheezed. "Ribs."
"Sorry! I'm excited!" Luke released them, grinning.
Cole and Ellie appeared next, Ellie already crying. "Let me see the ring! Oh my god, it's beautiful!"
"Took you long enough," Cole said, clapping Mac on the shoulder. "I was starting to think you'd chicken out."
"I don't chicken out of things."
"You chickened out of asking her to the Spring Fling."
"That was different. I had a cold."
"You had nerves."
"Same thing."
Rachel's mother arrived, her expression shifting from surprise to warmth. "Well," Linda said, pulling Rachel into a hug. "I suppose I approve. Since you already asked for my permission."
"That's the most enthusiastic endorsement I've ever heard," Mac muttered.
