* * *
Before you
I didn’t know you would change me
Or show me the way
I didn’t understand
Why my pride wouldn’t wait
But now I see
I understand
You’ve made me into a better man.”
* * *
As he repeated the chorus, Bristol teared up. The drops rolled down her cheeks. He’d written those words about her? “It’s beautiful. Oh, my gosh… I’m so honored. Touched.” She choked. “In love with you. I wish I had something to give you in return.”
“Right now, I only want one thing.” He got down on one knee and drew out a pretty blue box from his pants.
She gasped. When she untied the white bow and pulled off the lid, a sleek black velvet box lay inside.
“Open it,” he insisted softly.
She did so—and absolutely lost her breath. Inside was an exquisite Tiffany engagement ring. It wasn’t beautiful because of its size or overwhelming dazzle, but because of its sparkling simplicity. It looked like something she would have picked out for herself.
She looked at him, fresh tears sparkling. “I love it.”
“Marry me, Bristol Alexa Reese. We’ll wait as long as you want to announce our engagement and tie the knot. We’ll get married however you want and live wherever you want. I’m dissolving the band to go behind the scenes and focus on my songwriting. I swear no getting wasted or getting laid. I just want everything to be you and me and our lives forever.”
Tears ran down her face quickly now. She sobbed at the feeling swelling in her chest, but she managed to choke out one word to him. “Yes.”
A grin broke out across his handsome face. “No doubts?”
“None.”
“What are you going to tell your family about me? About us.”
“That I’m in love.” She gave him a watery smile. “And to butt out.”
He took the box from her shaking hands and settled the ring on her finger. “It’s a perfect fit.”
She raised up on her tiptoes and pressed a tender kiss to his lips, melting into him now and always. “Just like you are for me.”
Epilogue
Two years later
Dallas, Texas
* * *
Bristol examined the triple-layer chocolate espresso cake with the salted caramel drizzle and nodded. The ganache had set perfectly, and the edible flowers along the base gave it the kind of effortless elegance she wanted viewers to feel they could pull off at home. It was indulgent but not intimidating—her whole brand in a single dessert.
Jayla circled the cake with a critical eye, then flashed her a grin. “That looks amazing. If this doesn’t make people lick their screens, nothing will.”
