“I’m completely serious.”
All around us, the entire compound has gone quiet.
Even Skip…Which might be the most shocking thing about this entire situation.
Tank’s eyes soften as he looks up at me.
“Abigail Turner,” he says, his voice steady but full of emotion. “You’ve been the love of my life since before I was smart enough to realize it.”
Tears blur my vision.
“You’ve stood beside me through every mistake I’ve ever made. Even when I pushed you away. Yet, somehow you still look at me like I’m worth loving.”
His voice drops slightly.
“I spent years running from you because I thought I didn’t deserve you.”
He takes a slow breath.
“I finally figured out something important…with a little help from your brother.”
My heart pounds so hard it feels like it might explode.
“Idon’tdeserve you.”
A tear slips down my cheek.
“But I will spend the rest of my life trying to become the man who does.”
He opens the ring box fully.
“Will you marry me?”
The fire pops loudly beside us.
Someone sniffles.
I think it might be Sunny, but I can’t look away from Tank to check.
From the man kneeling in the grass in front of our entire family.
From the man I’ve loved for so long, it feels like my heart was built with his name already written on it.
“Yes,” I whisper.
Then louder, because I want to make absolutely certain he heard me.
“Yes!”
The compound explodes in cheers as Tank rushes to his feet and lifts me into the air, spinning me around like a madman before lowering me enough to kiss me.
I laugh and cry all at the same time and silently pray that snot isn’t running down my face.
Please, God… don’t let snot be running down my face.
“I love you so much, baby,” Tank whispers against my lips. “Thank you. Thank you for not giving up on us before I even gave us a chance. Thank you for giving me a second chance. Thank you, Abigail… for saying yes.”
Words.
