Elena’s breath caught, her eyes going wide as understanding dawned. “Reed?—”
He dropped to one knee on his kitchen floor, right there in front of the stove with the bacon still sizzling in the pan behind her. Not the romantic setting he’d imagined. Not the grand gesture he’d planned. But somehow, it felt exactly right.
“Elena Vasquez,” Reed said, his voice rough with emotion as he opened the box to reveal the diamond ring glinting in the morning light. “I fell in love with you over coffee and quiet conversations five years ago. I mourned you when I thought you were gone. And when you walked back into my life, I promised myself I would never let you go again.”
Elena’s hand rose to cover her mouth, tears already spilling down her cheeks. But she was smiling—that beautiful, radiant smile that had become the center of Reed’s universe.
“You are the bravest person I know,” Reed continued. “The smartest. The most stubborn.”
That earned him a watery laugh.
“You challenge me. You terrify me. You make me want to be a better man.” He reached for her free hand, threading his fingers through hers. “I don’t want to spend another day without knowing that you’re mine forever. So I’m asking you—officially, properly, down on one knee the way you said I could—will you marry me?”
For one heartbeat that lasted an eternity, Elena was silent. Then?—
“Yes,” she whispered. “Yes, Reed. A thousand times yes.”
Reed’s hands trembled as he slipped the ring onto her finger. The diamond caught the light and scattered it across the kitchen walls in tiny rainbows. It was a perfect fit, like it had been made for her. Like she had been made for him.
“I love you,” Elena said, her voice breaking. “I have loved you for five years, across distance and darkness and everything that tried to keep us apart. I will love you for the rest of my life.”
“I love you too,” Reed replied, rising and pulling her close. “More than I have words for.”
And then he kissed her.
It was different from every kiss they’d shared before—deeper, more certain, carrying the weight of a promise that would last a lifetime.
Elena’s arms wound around his neck, and Reed pulled her against his chest, holding her like he would never let go. Because he wouldn’t. Not ever again.
When they finally pulled apart, both breathless and laughing, Elena held up her hand to examine the ring. The diamondsparkled against her skin, and Reed felt a surge of pride and possessiveness that was entirely new.
“It’s beautiful,” she breathed.
“You’re beautiful.”
Elena laughed. “You’re such a sap.”
“Your sap,” he corrected, kissing the tip of her nose. “Forever.”
“Forever,” Elena agreed, and the word sounded like the most beautiful prayer Reed had ever heard.
Behind them, the smoke detector began to shriek.
They both burst out laughing as Elena scrambled to her feet and rushed to save what was left of their breakfast. Reed stayed where he was a moment longer, watching her wave a dish towel at the smoking pan, her newly ringed hand flashing in the morning light.
Thank You, he prayed again, his heart so full it hurt.Thank You for this. Thank You for her. Thank You for second chances.
“So,” Elena said, turning to face him with a rueful smile and a pan full of charcoal that used to be bacon. “I guess I’ll have to make breakfast all over again.”
Reed pushed himself to his feet and crossed the kitchen to wrap his arms around her once more. “Or we could go out. Celebrate properly.”
“Celebrate?”
“We just got engaged.” Reed grinned down at her. “I think that deserves pancakes. Maybe even mimosas.”
Elena’s smile widened. “Are you asking me on a date, Mr. Star?”
“I’m asking my fiancée to have breakfast with me,” Reed replied, and the word fiancée sent a thrill through his chest that he suspected would never get old. “Is that a yes?”
