Bryce turns back to us. Then he looks at Charli again.
Something shifts in his expression.
“Well,” he says slowly, “I sure hope you guys aren’t done celebrating for the day.”
Charli frowns. “What are you talking ab—”
Before she can finish the sentence …
Bryce drops to one knee.
The entire fire circle explodes with gasps.
Charli’s eyes go huge. “Oh my God.” Her hands fly to her mouth. “What are you doing?”
Bryce reaches into his jean pocket.
My heart starts hammering.
He pulls out a small black velvet box.
And opens it.
Even from where I’m sitting, the diamond catches the firelight like a twinkling star.
It’s enormous.
Charli stares down at him in complete shock.
Bryce takes a breath. “Chuck,” he says softly.
The nickname alone makes my throat tighten.
“I never imagined myself loving anything more than I loved the road. Or chasing the next buckle.”
He glances down at the ring. Then he looks back up at her.
“But you changed that.” His voice softens. “You made me a home.”
Charli’s eyes fill with tears.
“And I can’t wait to start our lives together,” he continues.
He lifts the ring slightly.
“And make a whole mess of babies.”
The entire group bursts out laughing.
Even Charli laughs through her tears.
Bryce grins sheepishly. “How does that sound to you?”
Charli wipes at her cheeks, shaking her head. “That,” she says, voice thick with emotion, “is not the most romantic proposal I’ve ever heard, cowboy.”
Bryce grins.
“But …” She slowly extends her hand toward him. Her ring finger wiggling dramatically. “The size of that rock makes up for it.”
