“Okay, open them.”
I did, and in front of me was a chocolate creamed cupcake with a small cherry on top. A grin spread across my face. I’d bet my whole paycheck there was cherry filling inside. A tiny candle stood proudly atop it.
“I thought we already had a cake.”
“Well, this one isn’t for the same occasion,” he said with an intriguing voice, lighting the candle. “Today is not just your birthday.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“Do tell, what else is today?”
“Well, it’s an anniversary. A year ago today, I held you in my arms beneath that huge tree in the middle of Portugal,” he said, looking deep into my eyes. “And fell desperately in love with you.”
Damn, he’s good.A smile as big as the sun itself appeared on my face, and heat overtook my chest. I was probably as red as that cherry.
“So make a wish, sweetie.”
I closed my eyes. For a moment, I didn’t think there was anything else I’d ever need than this. Right here. So all I could wish for was that I never lose it.
I opened my eyes and blew out the candle. When my eyes reached his, it was as though nothing else existed. I was his entire world.
I leaned across the cupcake, closing the space between us, and captured his lips with mine in a hungry kiss. The moment my mouth parted, his tongue slid in, warm and sure, like he’d been waiting for permission all along.
“Mhmm, now you have to tell me your wish if this is the response.”
“Haven’t you heard something aboutyou can’t tell it, otherwise it won’t come true?”
“I will find a way to make it come true.” He leaned closer, stepping between my legs, and trailed his lips along my jaw. I went into a haze, getting lost somewhere between his words.
“Just tell m—”
“I want you to marry me.”
We both froze.
Oh my God, what did I just do? Why did I just say that?
He wasn’t ready. It’s only been a year. Why on Earth couldn’t I keep my mouth shut?!
His face was stone-cold serious, probably thinking about how to get this crazy bitch out of his apartment now.
“No, no, no, no, no,” I panicked. “I take it back.”
He slowly got up and walked to the entrance. He was barely ready to be in a real relationship, and I propose a marriage? How stupid was I?
I ruined it. And especially today, after such a lovely day, week. The whole year, actually. I watched everything burn in slow motion, as if I had struck a match and tossed it into all we had built.
My palms started to sweat, and my chest rose with chaotic breathing. Instead of walking out on me, his hand slipped into his jacket, pulling out his wallet.
“No,” he repeated, this time in a voice laced with confusion.
“No,” I replied firmly.
He took one slow step toward me, eyes steady, pulling something shiny out of the wallet. My breath hitched, and I went from complete panic to utter shock.
A ring.A gorgeous diamond ring, surrounded by tiny crystals, that shimmered even in the dim light of the room.
