Then Haley grabs my hand and tows me away from the table. Her little face is glowing with excitement. “Is it really time? You’re going to ask?”
I bend down so she doesn’t have to strain to look up at me. “As long as it’s okay with you.”
“It’s okay.” Haley drops my hand and hugs me hard. “It’sveryokay.”
“Alright.” I stand straight again. My hand plunges into my pocket. “Let’s do this, then.”
With Haley trotting alongside me, I head back over to Angel. She doesn’t appear concerned. Or impatient. She just looks curious.
But she must have an idea of what I’m about to do. Or does she?
When I reach Angel, she starts to get up, but I touch her shoulder and say, “It’s okay. You don’t need to get up.”
“You should sit,” Haley adds. “It’s important.”
“Oh.” Angel’s lips twitch. “In that case, then.” She leans back in her seat. “I’m sitting.”
As I look at her, my heart races. My palms go damp. Cold prickles break out on the back of my neck.
“Angel.” I have to take a breath before I continue. “I have something I’d like to ask you.”
Her gaze meets mine. “Okay?”
“First, I just want to say… This isn’t a question I’m asking without having put a lot of thought into it first. Because… it’s about all of us. Me. You. Haley.”
Haley creeps closer, so she’s right next to me. I can feel her buzzing with excitement.
Angel nods. She looks hopeful, or at least I think she does. “What do you want to ask?”
“Well.” I take another breath. Then I pull the box from my pocket. “It’s actually a question for both of you.” Turning to Haley, I say, “I know we talked about this, Speedy. But I think you should be a part of this, too.”
As I open the box, I drop to one knee.
Inside the box are two pieces of jewelry.
One is a bracelet with a little ski charm attached to it.
The other is an engagement ring.
“Angel Nilsson,” I begin. “I love you. I don’t know if I can ever explain just how much. Before you, I didn’t think I’d find love. Or a wife. Or a family. I was determined not to want it. I thought it was safer that way.”
“Ronan,”Angel whispers.
“But it’s impossible not to love you,” I continue. “It’s impossible not to want you as my wife. To be a family. I want to take care of you for the rest of my life. Every day, I want to make you smile. I want to be the man you can depend on. The man you can trust to always have your back. I want you to know I’m not going anywhere. Ever.”
“And Haley.” I turn to her. “I love you, too. You and your mom; you’re the two most important people in the world to me. And I know I’ve never been a dad before. But I promise I’ll do my best.”
Haley stares at me. Her chin wobbles.
When I look back at Angel, her eyes are shining with tears. “Will you marry me, Angel Nilsson? Grant me the greatest honor of my life by agreeing to become my wife?”
In the moment it takes for her to answer, I stop breathing.
All I can do is hope.
Then she launches herself into my arms. “Yes! Of course I will!” She kisses me, tasting faintly of salt. “Yes, Ronan Davies. I will absolutely marry you.”
I slide the ring onto her finger. And shit, it looks good there. “I love you. So much.”
