After a long day running errands in town, I step into my home to the smells of coziness and warmth.
"Are you cooking?" I call out, and my boyfriend pokes his head from the kitchen wearing an apron.
"My famous lasagna," he says, grinning at me.
"You are heaven-sent," I say, hanging up my coat as he pulls me in for a kiss.
"Everything go okay in town?" Brando asks, brushing the stray hair out of my eyes.
"Yep. And I couldn't resist. I stopped at Duskwood Winery's tasting room and grabbed a case of wine. It's in the trunk."
"That's perfect given that our one-year anniversary is tomorrow," he says, kissing my nose and grabbing the car keys from the hook.
Half an hour later, dressed in comfy sweats with my hair up in a messy bun, we sit across from each other with large glasses of Cabernet as we devour lasagna and Caesar salad.
I rest my sock-covered feet on my boyfriend's lap as he rubs the arches with his thumbs.
"We've got quite the perfect life here going for us, don't we?" I say with a contented sigh.
Brando's dark purple eyes twinkle mischievously at me as he nods, gently throwing my feet off of his lap.
"We sure do, but I have a way to make it even better," he says, reaching into his pocket, and falling to one knee.
I bolt upright in my chair as both hands fly to my mouth.
"Joss Gallagher, I think I've been in love with you within minutes of us meeting two years ago, but I, for sure, am madlyand deeply in love with you now. I want to spend every one of my days with you for the rest of my life. Will you marry me?"
I launch off the kitchen chair and tumble into my fiancé, repeating yes over and over while covering his face with kisses. We giggle, lying on the kitchen floor, as he slides the diamond ring onto my finger.
"I love you so much, Brando."
"I love you too, my future wife."
We stay sprawled on the kitchen floor for several minutes, just staring at each other and grinning like idiots. The diamond catches the overhead light, sending tiny rainbows across the ceiling. My heart feels like it might burst from my chest, and I keep looking from the ring to Brando's face, unable to believe this is real.
"When did you buy this?" I ask, holding my hand up to get a better look at the stone.
"Three weeks ago," he admits with a sheepish grin. "I've been carrying it around, waiting for the right moment."
"This was the perfect moment," I say, leaning over to kiss him again. "Though I probably look like a mess."
"You look beautiful," he says, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "You always look beautiful."
I laugh, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes. "I can't believe we're engaged."
"Believe it," Brando says, pulling me closer. "You're stuck with me now, Joss Gallagher."
"Good," I whisper against his lips. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."
Epilogue
Brando
Stepping into the cruise ship's swankiest restaurant, I wrap my arm around my wife's waist as we take in the sight. From floor to ceiling, the place is decorated for Valentine's Day with red roses on every table and Valentine's-themed decorations everywhere the eye can see.
The hostess seats us by the window as we look out at the Pacific. Tomorrow we will explore Ensenada, but today is all about romance and celebrating our love.
Joss grins at me as she takes a sip of her white wine.
