Ford cups a hand around my cheek. “You will. I know it.”
“Thank you for the confidence.”
Ford takes my hand, twisting the ring he just gave me around my finger. “You deserve a much bigger ring, but for now, it’s better if it doesn’t draw attention.”
“It’s perfect. I love it.”
“I’m glad you like it. Do you want everyone to know?”
“That you asked me to marry you, and we’re engaged?” Ford nods. “I want to shout it from the rooftops, but I’m afraid that will cause all sorts of drama. I have absolutely no idea how my parents will react to this news.”
“I want the world to know you’re going to be my wife, but I agree it could cause a lot of problems, especially with all the drama we’re still dealing with, with the website and that I haven’t announced where I’m going to play football. If you want to tell people now, I’ll support you.”
“We should wait until after you’ve signed with a school and things have calmed down. We’ll know when the time is right,” I say.
“I agree.”
As Ford slips the ring off my finger, my stomach cramps, and I feel nauseated. I want to scream and snatch it back. “No. Don’t.” I exclaim, tears slipping down my cheeks.
“Hey, hey. It’s okay.” Ford slips the ring on my middle finger. He wipes the tears off my cheeks with his thumbs. He cups his hand around my face and leans closer, giving me a soft kiss. He holds my hand up, kissing the ring on my middle finger, then turning my hand over and kissing my palm. “This ring holds my promise that I will always love and cherish you, that our love is meant to be, That I will wait for you and be your husband.”
54. Spoons and Soulmates
I take out my handkerchief and wipe Hannah’s tears away and make sure none of her mascara has run. I help her out of the car, and we head into Tyler’s house. I’m on cloud nine. She said yes. Hannah said yes to being my wife. I’ve never been this happy. I wrap my arm around her neck, and I yank her close, giving her a big smack on the cheek.
Hannah laughs, sliding her arm around my waist. “I’ve missed those kisses.”
“And where have the two of you been?” Cameron asks with a dumb grin on his face.
“We wanted to leave the dance early, so we went and got snacks.” I hold up the bag of candy I bought at the store this morning.
“Nice.” Cam grabs the bag, pilfering through it.
I grab Hannah’s hand, and we sit outside on the porch. The Hansen’s have several large heaters that keep the area warm. “Will you take my heels off for me?”
“Of course.” I glide my hand down her leg, unbuckling the little strap at her ankle, and then do the same for the other foot. She rests her head on my shoulder. It’s been a long day. We sit together, just taking each other in. I hold her left hand in my right, twisting her promise ring back and forth on her finger. I love knowing it’s there.
“Hey, here you are,” June says, and she and Leah come bouncing outside.
“I can’t believe you did that,” June says to Hannah, looking shocked.
She sits up. “Did what?”
“That you took the microphone from Mr. Higbee and said—what you said?”
“Oh yeah. I was just owning it.” Hannah shrugs.
“I can’t believe someone switched out your bio,” Leah says.
“I can,” Hannah and I say together.
“Do you think it was Bree?” June asks.
“Or one of her buddies. Any of them could’ve done it. Melissa, Alison, Chanel.” Hannah scoffs.
“Oh, speaking of Alison. I heard she’s not friends with Bree anymore,” Leah says.
“Seriously? So who’s she hanging out with?” Hannah glances at me, but I shake my head.
