“You’re the best part of me. You’re my light and my fire. You make me want to wake up every morning and strive to be the best possible man I can be. Not just for you, but for myself, too.” Alex pulled a small box from his pocket, and the room stilled around us.
“You probably expected something dramatic and extravagant since you know me so well—” Ava’s eyes widened. “—but I know you wanted to be among people who love us. So I chose something in between.”
The restaurant had grown quiet, all eyes drifting toward our table.
“All I want is to make you as happy as you make me every day.” Suddenly, Hazel gasped softly and, without realizing it, grabbed my hand, squeezing it tight.
“Ava, darling, I love you so much.” Alex dropped to one knee. “So marry me.”
The way he looked at Ava made my heart ache in the best possible way. Witnessing their love, you couldn’t help but feel only joy.
Ava grinned, drawing out the suspense. But we all knew.
“About the damn time,” she exclaimed.
“Is that a yes?” Alex grinned.
“Hell, yeah, it’s a yes.” She jumped into his arms, and the restaurant erupted in applause.
The waiter arrived with the champagne just in time. Hazel glanced at me, her eyes narrowing slightly as she pieced the puzzle together. I whisperedshh,and she smiled. I was so eager to chase her smiles, it drove me fucking crazy.
We sat down, still dazed from the rush and exhilaration, as Alex slipped the ring on Ava’s hand.
“Oh, we had no idea you were planning this,” Summer said.
“No one did,” Norah added, hugging Ava.
“Well,someonedid,” Alex smirked, looking at me.
“WHO?” I feigned innocence, hiding my grin. I actually felt immense pride that he trusted me with this.
“Subtle,” Hazel muttered, smirking and rolling her eyes. “I wish I had a gift or something for you, guys,” she laughed. “But the good wines here are too expensive, and my piano skills are probably too rusty to count as a gift of any kind.”
“Oh wow, do you play?” Norah asked.
“I used to.” Her gaze drifted toward the piano in the corner.
“Of course she plays, she’s Anne Ridley’s daughter,” Summer said, and the words hit me.The daughter.
Hazel smiled, but the light in her eyes dimmed slightly. I saw it now.
“Yeah...” she replied, and I caught her gaze in silent understanding. Without thinking, I found her hand under the table and laced our fingers.
I’m here.
Hazel squeezed back but kept her focus on the conversation.
“Play something for us,” Ava chimed in sweetly.
Hazel’s head snapped up. “I... no, I can’t. I haven’t played in ages.”
“C’mon, Hazel,” everybody encouraged, trying to convince her.
“No, this is your night. I can’t steal your thunder,” she tried to weasel out.
“You’re not stealing anything. You’re actually giving. As a gift to us... please,” Ava tried to appeal to Hazel’s kind heart. I didn’t want to push her, but I wanted to see her play, too. Hazel turned to me as a last resort, but I gave her a small nudge.
“Technically, that would be considered a very nice gift from you. Nicer even than the very expensive wines,” I said, stating pure facts. She pursed her lips, hiding a smile, then sighed in defeat.
