With Allie’s help, I was able to get Taylor’sring sent off to a jeweler for some upgrades to the design, and she also found a florist that would deliver rose petals.
MIKE
When?
ME
Saturday. Her brother is going to fly in to surprise her too.
MILLER
Pulling out all the stops
ME
Nothing but the best for my wife
The group chat turns into an impromptu guys night at my favorite bar while the girls have a wine night on Gabby’s porch.
“Who knew you would be so good at this,” I say, flagging down Jim for another round as Miller sketches out a design on a paper napkin.
“I’m not just a pretty face. I know things.” He responds, tapping his temple.
“We should all go to dinner after to celebrate,” Preston suggests from Miller’s other side.
“Yeah, the girls will want to be together,” Chase agrees.
“They’re going to want to watch too, so you might as well accept that this won’t be a completely private event and plan accordingly,” Mike chimes in from beside me with a knowing look in his eye. So much for another romp in the dugout.
By the time we finish our beers, we have a mockup of how to set up the mound, a shopping list of all the things we need to create the candlelit sunset proposal of Taylor’s dreams, and dinner reservations with the family after.
Saturday can’t come fast enough.
There’s a pink rose waiting in the changing room when I get back from my massage. Not just any pink rose—a gold tipped rose in a soft pink color. Tied to the stem is a note like every other time I’ve received one of these roses over the years. Instead of a poem or quote, this one simply reads.
“Meet me on the mound.”
Smiling from ear to ear, I quickly dress in the outfit the girls had chosen for a girl’s night out. A night out I’m realizing was a ruse to keep me busy while Grant prepared for his grand gesture moment. By the time I’m finishing my makeup, Gabby and Ivory burst into the room excitedly.
“You look gorgeous, Tay,” Gabby gushes.
“Sneaky little minxes.”
“A spa day was a hardship for sure. You should be thanking us for our sacrifice,” Ivory quips, making us all laugh.
“Are you ready to go? It’s almost sunset time and I’m not saying there was a plan, but . . .” Gabby trails off with a smile.
“Do I look okay?” I ask, smoothing down my hair before skimming my hands over the dress I’m wearing.
“Yes!” they both say with wide smiles. We ride together to the stadium, my heart racing the entire time because I have a feeling Grant is waiting for me on the mound with a ring. Why else would he send me to a surprise spa day with the girls and then have a rose waiting for me a month early telling me to meethim? When we pull up, the sky is painted a shade of pink that rivals the color of the rose in my hand.
The girls get out with me and walk to the gate. Before I can open it, Gabby reaches out and stops me. “Sorry, we were told it has to be a surprise from here.” She holds up a blindfold.
“Are you sure? I won’t tell if you don’t.” I want to see and experience everything from tonight.
“Just doing what we’re told.” Gabby shrugs, but I know she’s loving every second of this. They’re all clearly in on it, and I love that Grant included them in this moment. Just the way it should’ve happened before.
Ivory winks and twirls her finger for me to turn around. “Don’t ruin the surprise. Trust me.”
