There were hushed voices as everyone collected their things to head out.
As soon as everyone was up and out of their seats, Rylee was heading for Yusuf.
Close, she playfully punched him on his arm, and he laughed.
Yusuf had become someone like a brother to Rylee. Her most stubborn group member who refused to open up his first few visits to The Hope Collective group meetings.
Rylee tried everything to get him to share his story. He’d show up every other week and just sit silently, visibly holding a lot on his heart. And when he finally opened up, Rylee took a liking to him and his love for his wife, Parris. It reminded her a lot of her love for Lennox.
“Now, how you just gonna drop something like that in here?!”
Yusuf tipped his head back and laughed, his beautiful smile brightening the room.
He was happy, and Rylee noticed this happiness the day he attended the meeting after his trip to Hawaii.
“Yusuf, what?”
“I know.”
“This is amazing,” she whispered, taking him by his biceps. “So amazing!”
Group members made their way around Rylee and Yusuf, saying their goodbyes with promises to see them the week after next.
“So… how did you get here?” She threw her hands up. “I know you didn’t go into details during the meeting, and I hope you don’t mind sharing?—”
“You know I don’t mind sharing any of this with you, Rylee.” He nodded toward her. “You’re one of the reasons I’m even considering this to begin with.”
She made an exaggerated pouty lip expression. “Aww.”
He chuckled, pushing his hand into his jeans pocket.
When he pulled it out, he brought in his grip a ring box. A beautiful royal blue velvet square.
He flipped the lid, and Rylee’s eyes grew at the sight of the diamond tucked in the slit.
“Oh, myGod,” she expressed low before looking up at him. “It’s beautiful.”
“Like her,” he agreed, his attention fixed on the stone. “She picked it.”
“Shepicked it?!”
He nodded. “I rented out a jewelry store months ago for her to window shop. Told her that I wouldn’t ask her then, but I did want to make sure when I did, she loved the ring and it fit.”
“Genius.” She smiled.
Rylee inhaled a deep breath and let it out through her mouth.
“How do you know?”
Yusuf was returning the ring box into his pocket when he refocused on her.
“How do you know when you’re ready?” she added. “I’m not trying to make you second-guess anything. I’m asking for myself… and maybe being a little selfish, if I’m honest.”
He snorted a laugh.
“Because I’ve been in my relationship, as you know, and he’s perfect not just on paper but just period.”
“Yes, I know. You tell us every meeting.”
