“No, you don’t. You did the hard work.”
“I don’t think so. A lot of people tried to help, but you never gave up on me.”
“I couldn’t. I don’t know why.” She smirks, but I won’t let her make light of this. I need to get the words out.
“What are you doing now?”
She looks around her apartment. She’s wearing her pink robe and her hair is tied into a messy topknot. “I was going to make myself some chamomile tea and go to bed. No big plans.”
“Come to California.”
“What? You know I can’t. I’ve got work. I’ve been watching the games, though.”
“I want you here, Sage. I want you with me. Come to California. Tell your boss you’re my girlfriend, they’ll understand.”
She laughs. “I don’t think they will.”
“What if you tell them you’re my fiancé?”
She stops laughing mid-breath. “That’s not funny.”
“You’re right. Except I’m not joking.”
Shit. I didn’t want to propose like this over the phone, but I need her to understand I am serious. “I had a talk with my fathertonight and I realized that I don’t want to lose you. Have you ever thought about getting married? I haven’t until today, and now I can’t stop thinking about it. I’ve been through hell and back and I made it because you loved me. I don’t know if you’re even ready yet, but I’m letting you know, Sage Summers, that I want you to be my wife.”
She looks up at the ceiling and shakes her head. Wiping tears from her eyes, she looks away from the phone. I’m hoping they’re tears of joy, but she soon starts sobbing. “Sage, are you ok, baby?”
“No,” she cries.
“I’m sorry. I should have waited to speak to you in person, but I didn’t want another night to go by without you knowing exactly how I feel about you. I don’t want any questions about how much I care and love you.”
“Ok.”
“Ok, you love me, too?”
She shakes her head. “Ok. I’ll come to California.”
I whoop out a cheer and shake my fist. “Yes, baby. I’ll send tickets for the World Series to your boss. My parents aren’t coming because my dad still can’t travel very far. But he’ll catch the game in New York.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I’ll do more than that to have you here. I’m so happy you said yes.”
“Well, technically you haven’t asked me anything other than coming to California yet, so I’ve only agreed to that.”
She is irresistible when she’s playful. “When I do propose, it will be unforgettable, I promise.”
“I’m sure it will be. I won’t forget this conversation as long as I live.”
“I love you, Sage.”
“I love you, too, Casey. Good night.”
“Good night, baby.”
*
The next day, Sage texts me that her boss wasn’t thrilled with her leaving, but the World Series tickets certainly helped his mood. I smile at the eye roll emoji she adds at the end of the message. She’s leaving for California tomorrow and I have a lot to do before she arrives. I plan to propose while she’s here and I think I’ve come up with the perfect set up.
