Cole got down on one knee. “This was supposed to happen at dinner,” he said. “But I just can’t wait another minute.”

I covered my mouth with both hands and squeaked.

“Cheyenne Dempsey, I’ve known you almost my entire life. And even though our paths took us in different directions for a while, I know in my heart that right now, I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. I’m with the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. And when I think about our future together, I’m happier than I ever imagined was possible.”

I started to cry and had to wipe tears from beneath my eyes.

He smiled, although his eyes shone too. “Now I don’t come alone,” he said. “Mariah and I are sort of a package deal.”

Laughing, I sniffed and nodded.

“But she and I agree that you make our family complete—for now, at least. Hopefully we’ll continue to grow it in the years to come.” He plucked the solitaire from the box and took my left hand, slipping it onto my ring finger. “I love you more than I could ever say.” His smile turned boyish and a little crooked. “And as someone once told me, when you have something precious in your hands, you need to hold on tight. Tonight, I’m asking to hold onto you forever. Will you marry me?”

“Yes,” I bawled, tears spilling down my face. “Yes, yes, yes!”

He rose to his feet and kissed me quickly before embracing me, lifting me right off my feet. I wrapped my arms around his neck and held on tight, just like he said.

After I’d blubbered into his shoulder for a minute or two, he set me on my feet and I finally looked at the ring on my finger. “I can’t believe it!” I said, laughing and crying at the same time. “Is it real?”

“It’s real.”

I whirled around, expecting people to jump out of the closet. “Where’s Mariah? Are Griffin and Blair here? Our mothers?”

“No,” he said. “I thought about it, but decided this was something I wanted to do without an audience.”

“I get it.” I couldn’t take my eyes off my ring—my engagement ring! “But do they know?”

“They know,” he admitted. “And I promised Mariah we’d call her as soon as it happened.”

“Oh, let’s call her really quick!” I grabbed my phone. “I know it’s almost nine, but I need to show this ring off or I’m going to burst!”

He laughed. “Okay, I also need to change my shirt.”

I winced, looking at the wet splotch, which also had black mascara smudges. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay. I have another.”

“I bet my face looks like that too, huh?”

He didn’t bother lying. “A bit.”

I took thirty seconds to repair my mascara and eyeliner and then sat on the bed to FaceTime Cole’s mom.

She and Mariah appeared on the screen. “Hello?” His mother said.

“Did he do it?” Mariah shrieked.

I held up my left hand. “He did it!”

“Yay!” They both cheered, and Mrs. Mitchell wiped her eyes. “I’m so happy,” she said.

“Me too,” chirped Mariah. “Daddy said I can be in the wedding!”

“Well, of course you can,” I said. “You have to be my maid of honor!”

“Really?” Her eyes widened. “But what about Aunt Blair? Won’t she want to be maid of honor?”

“I’ll just have two,” I said. “It’s my wedding, so I make the rules.”

She laughed. “Where’s Daddy?”

“He’s changing his shirt,” I said, glancing over to where he stood tucking it into his pants. “I sort of cried all over the first one.”

They both smiled. “So when will the wedding be?” his mother asked.

“Mom, what did I say about that?” Cole, a white shirt beneath his charcoal jacket now, came to sit beside me. “We’ve only been engaged for five minutes. No pressuring us yet.”

She held up one palm. “Okay, okay. I’m just excited is all.”

“I am too,” I said. “Maybe this spring or summer?”

“I think that would be perfect,” Mrs. Mitchell said, beaming. Mariah looked overjoyed too.

“We should head down to dinner,” I said. “We’re late for our reservation. But I was so excited, I couldn’t wait until afterward to tell you!”

They laughed again. “Congratulations, darlings.” Misty-eyed, Mrs. Mitchell blew us a kiss and Mariah waved happily. “We’ll see you when you get home.”

We waved goodbye and ended the call. “I’ll call my mom from the table,” I said, rising to my feet. “Let’s head out.”

He took my hand and we left the room. “Were you serious about getting married this spring or summer?” he asked as we walked down the hall.

“Yes. Why, you think it’s too quick?”

“Not at all. I’d marry you tomorrow if you said you would.”

I laughed as we headed down the grand staircase into the lobby. “Tomorrow might be a little bit soon, but I don’t really want to wait very long.”

“Good. I don’t either.” We reached the bottom of the steps and headed for the restaurant.

“I waited long enough for you,” I teased as we approached the hostess stand.

“Are you always going to give me hell for that?”

I laughed. “Probably.”

“Your name?” asked the hostess.

“Mitchell,” Cole answered.

She smiled at us. “Right this way, Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell.”

Cole looked at me and squeezed my hand, his mouth curving into that smile I’d loved for so long.

I smiled back and walked with him, hand in hand.

He held on tight.

THE END