So, he’s not going to deny it.
“My dad. He told me after I came home from your house after…” She didn’t finish the sentence, not wanting to bring up terrible memories.
Jake didn’t respond, only looked at her with a curious expression. He probably expected anger. If she had found out a month ago that would have been how she responded—but now, afterhearing of his tradition and how he’d kept Thao’s memory alive for years while she tried her best to forget her brother… well, it was a lot.
So instead, she took a step toward him. Jake spread his knees, making room for her between his legs. She leaned forward until they were nearly nose to nose. Looking into his eyes, blue as the sky above them and full of life, she said, “Thank you.”
He dipped his chin in a small nod of acknowledgment. “Want a sandwich?” he asked with a smile spreading across his face.
She returned his smile, sitting down on his lap and taking the proffered sandwich from him. “I brought chips and sodas.”
Jake kissed her on the cheek, curling a strand of hair behind her ear. “Smart.”
They ate in silence, gazing at the wildflowers as the wind whispered through them, carrying their scent to where they sat on a bench that bore their best friend’s name. A sight that once brought pain, but now offered peace.
“What do you think Thao would have been?” she asked Jake, head on his shoulder. Her belly was full. Jake’s arm around her shoulders tightened, tucking her impossibly closer to him.
“I think he would have tried to go to college, but eventually he would have gone after his dreams. He would have been a starving artist just to say he could do it.” Jake chuckled, making his chest shake. She smiled at the thought of her twin brother proclaiming he was a starving artist, despite the fact their parents owned a restaurant.
“Yeah, you’re right,” Gia agreed. She stared at the retreating sun disappearing over the horizon, casting soft shades of pink, purple, and orange across all of Willowbrook. “We should probably get going before it gets too dark.” She sighed, reluctant togive up the peaceful moment, and moved to get up off the bench. She heard rustling behind her as she packed up.
When she turned around, Jake was kneeling in the dirt with an innocent expression and his hands behind his back.
“Jake? What are you doing?” she asked cautiously.
“What does it look like I’m doing?” he said with an impish grin.
“It looks like you’re kneeling in the dirt.”
“Oh, you’re right. I forgot something.” She stared wide-eyed as he patted around his chest and back pockets before finding what he was looking for with a triumphant and exaggerated shout. “Here it is.”
With a flourish that would have made a Hallmark movie proud, Jake produced a red velvet box. Her eyes widened with shock. Jake opened the box and revealed a ring gleaming in the sunset.
Gia gasped, hands covering her face. “Jake? Is that what I think it is?”
“It’s exactly what you think it is.” Jake paused, taking in a trembling breath before looking up at her with love shining in his eyes. “Gia, I love you. I’ve loved you since the day I met you, when I didn’t even know what love meant. I continued to love you even while we were apart. Now that you’re here, I want to love you for the rest of our lives.”
“Yes.” She kneeled in front of him until they were eye to eye.
“I didn’t ask a question,” Jake huffed.
“The answer is still yes,” Gia said, gripping his face between her hands. “A million times yes.”
“I promise to always love you,” Jake said, voice hushed as the wind rustled her hair.
“I know, Jake.” Her forehead touched his. “I love you, always.”
“And you’ll be my wife.” It was not a question, but a promise for their future.
“I want nothing more than to be your wife,” she said.
As far as proposals go, she never thought about how she envisioned it, but kneeling in the dirt while the sky was alight with bright colors next to her brother could not have been more perfect. She could feel Thao’s presence with them and hear his laughter at her surprise. He would have wanted to be a part of it.
Leaning forward, their lips touched—the sweetest promise for a future together.
Epilogue
JAKE
