“Please Dollface,” he says, cutting me off. “I swear it’ll only take a minute.”
I glance back at my open bedroom door. Mom will be calling me to come eat any minute now. But Christian looks so excited. And he drove all the way over here. The least I could do is go see his gift.
“Okay.” I say, climbing out of my single story window. “But only for a minute.”
His smile widens. “That’s all I need.”
I’ve snuck out this way dozens of times, but as I follow him away from the house, a sinking feeling settles over me.
“Why don’t you just bring it over here?” I ask, stopping a few feet away from my window.
Christian’s smile falters.
“I just, want to be able to hear, if they call for me.”
“Come on, Doll.” He says, grabbing my wrist. “Trust me. You’re going to love it. ”
He leads me down the lengthy driveway and when we reach the road, he releases his grip and turns to face me.
“Dahlia Nocon,” he says, his face contorted into a pained smile. “I love you so much it hurts. These last six months have meant everything to me, and I honestly can’t imagine spending another day without you by my side.”
“I can’t either, baby.” I whisper, smiling up at him.
Christian sighs and smiles back at me. “I was hoping you’d say that. Now, I know this may seem crazy, but…” He pauses, reaching into his pocket to produce a tiny blue velvet box and lowering himself to one knee. “Will you marry me?”
I stare at the thin solitaire diamond ring nestled inside in utter disbelief.
No.
What was he thinking?
I love him, but I’m not ready for that. Neither of us is.
Christian searches my face, and the weight of his stare suddenly feels suffocating. He’s waiting for an answer, and I still haven’t said anything.
“It’s beautiful, but?—”
“But what?” He asks, cocking his head. His smile doesn’t waver, but there’s a shift in his gaze.
“We can’t,” I manage to choke out. “I… I can’t.”
His smile falters, and he stands up to his full height.
“Why not?” He asks, his tone sharp and demanding. His hand reaches out to touch me, and I instinctively pull it back.
The air between us crackles with tension.
“My family…” I stammer, grasping for any excuse that might stop whatever this is from escalating. “My parents would never allow it.”
“You don’t need to worry about that.” He says, and something about the confidence in his words makes my brow furrow.
“I can’t just not worry about it, Christian. They’re my parents. I’m not getting married without their blessing.”
“Trust me, Dollface.” He murmurs, closing the distance to gently cradle my face. “You won’t need it. Now please, make me the happiest man in the world and say yes.”
I wrinkle my nose and glare at him, trying to decipher his words. “What do you mean? Why won’t I need it?” I ask, searching his face for answers.
“Because it’s already been taken care of.” He whispers, his mouth curving into a wide smile. “I took care of everything, doll. Now answer my question.”
