“So no,” he said once more, calm as ever. Like he was just clarifying an issue over a spreadsheet. Or if he wanted pickles on his burger.
He lowered himself to the floor, meeting me at eye level, holding it between us.
“So if I ask a question, it’s going to be a no?”
This time, I could hear the smile behind it, the one he used when he was sure of something.
“No?” I whispered back, and he smiled. “Where did you get it?”
“I’ve had it for a while now,” he said softly. No nervousness in his voice. No panic.
“How much isa while?”
“Six months, I think. Maybe a year, who remembers it now.” He shrugged his shoulders. I stared at him in disbelief.A year???
“Hazel, I knew it that day at the park with your silly balloon, that you wereitfor me. I didn’t want to scare you or rush you. I just... I wanted to be ready when you were.”
A small tear prickled the corner of my eye.
“Are you sure? Are you sure this is what you want?” I asked, my voice small.
The biggest grin appeared on his face. “I’ve never been surer of anything in my life, sweetie.” His warm palm found my cheek. “So don’t say no. Say yes,” he gazed into my eyes with a hopeful look. “Will you marry me, Hazel?”
“You know, your birthday gifts to me keep getting better each year. I don’t know how you’re gonna top it next year,” I teased him, and his dimples deepened. I couldn’t believe this man loved me.
“Is that ayesthen? Instead of ano?”
I nodded, and he leaned in, kissing me hard, laughing into my mouth, deliriously happy. It was maddening how much he consumed me. I started to unbutton his shirt, and we got hungry for each other as we matched each other’s energy. And soon after our clothes disappeared, so did any doubts that he wanted me as much as I wanted him in my life.
Luke made me braver. He taught me to stop and ask for what I really wanted in life.
And, lucky for me, what I wanted most was him.
The whole world lay open before me. I just had to dare to ask.
Luke
“Which one?” Alex yelled from the other side of his bed into the tiny screen. We were FaceTiming. I squinted my eyes as he was holding up two ugly ties.
Neither, I thought to myself, not wanting to hurt his feelings. But then again...
“Neither. They’re both hideous,” I said, buttoning down my shirt.
We were getting ready for Mady’s wedding, which wouldn’t start for hours, but as maid of honor, Hazel had to be there early. I didn’t mind going with her so soon, sticking around. I didn’t mind spending so much time with her these days anyway.
She hurried me out of the room and into the living room, where I was cornered into taking a call, forced to choose between two painfully ugly options. Alex was going to the wedding, too. We all were. It had started with Hazel introducing Mady to Ava, who agreed to make the wedding cake. Later, Norah found her the venue. We slowly pulled Mady into our circle with game nights and hiking trips. The rest was history, as they say.
“C’mon, man, I need help. Which one?” Alex sounded desperate and annoyed.
“The one I gave you for last Christmas,” I said.
“But these two are more fun.” He approached the screen, showing me the ties. They were even uglier than I thought. I threw him a skeptical look.
“Which one did Ava tell you to wear?”
Alex exhaled, his eyebrows lowering in defeat. “The one you gave me for last Christmas.”
“Well, you should always listen to your wife,” I laughed, proving my point. “At least I will listen to mine,” I murmured to myself, fighting a smile.
