I shake my head up and down, because words aren’t a function I’m capable of.
Cooper sighs and slides the ring onto my left hand. “Thank God, I was gettingreallyworried there for a minute.”
He stands, and in the back of my mind, it’s like a reboot is happening, but hasn’t completed the update. “I hope you like it. I asked June for some advice. She thought that shape would look good on you.”
I stare at the ring in shock, awe, and utter disbelief, and look up at him again.
“Am I … is this a dream?”
Cooper laughs and grabs my face between both of his hands. “I’ve asked myself that every day, but I can confirm this is not a dream. This is reality, and I love you,” he says, all wobbly, like the words were nervous on the way out of his mouth.
“Oh, wow.”
Cooper’s chest bounces, and he pulls me into his arms. “I’m going to take this as a good wow.”
I nod against his chest, and I think my reboot completed because I burst into tears.
Then suddenly, maybe it was the loud sob I heaved, but fireflies stir, lighting up the sky, floating around us. I gasp at all of them, as tears fall down my cheeks, so all the fireflies are blurry.
“Hey, are you okay?” he asks, swiping the tears from my cheeks.
I sob and reach for him, trying to kiss him through my tears. “Yes, I’ll marry you, yes, everything is amazing,” I blubber.
His expression dips. “Okay, good, but uh, are you supposed to cry this much?” he asks.
I slap his chest, and he laughs.
“I told you I didn’t need anymore friends.”
“I love you, smartass,” I say, grabbing his chin.
“I love you too, stubborn.” He clasps my hips in his hands and looks at me with a silly grin. “So how about that dinner?”
Chapter 46
Cooper
Sundaydinnerrollsaround,and after we all get back from church, I take Naomi to the house to get out of her Sunday dress.
It’s bright, sunny, and beautiful, and I didn’t think this day could get any better, but when I picked up Mae this morning, it did.
She makes everything better.
Keeping my hand on her thigh, I drive up the hill to the house and put it into park.
Naomi hops out and runs into the house. Mae and I stay put.
“Are you sure now is a good time to tell them?” she asks.
She’s worrying her bottom lip, and I reach up to pull it from her teeth. “You’re going to make yourself bleed. Stop worrying so much. They’ll be happy. Did you tell your parents yet?” I ask her, knowing she hasn’t.
“I was going to, but then I wanted you to be there because my mom is going to want to see you, and then the moment I tell her, my aunt will hear about it five seconds after we hang up. So I … want to be prepared,” she says and puffs out a breath.
I chuckle and Naomi rockets back out of the house, this time sporting a pink tutu, a white t-shirt, and a lime green sparkly vest. I catch a glimpse of her feet and spot the rubber yellow rain boots.
Close enough.
“I like your outfit, Naomi,” Mae says over her shoulder as I turn the truck to go to the big house.
