Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 92155 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92155 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Unable to contain my laughter, I said, “Oh no.”
“I nearly canceled my plans at The Iguana, but then Nathan somehow had the bright idea to track down the owner’s home phone number. It turned out his wife went into labor, so he closed the store before I had a chance to pick up the ring.”
“Oh my God.”
“I was with you by this time, but he agreed to leave the hospital really quick to meet Nathan and open the store so I could still propose to you tonight on stage. The entire time I was up there, I was praying Nathan would burst through those doors with the ring just in the nick of time.”
“So that’s why Nathan showed up when he did? He had the ring, but he was too late?”
“He still didn’t have the ring!” Jace laughed. “The guy had to turn back around because his wife started to push. It was either get me my ring or miss the birth. Nathan didn’t want me to have nothing to give you tonight. So he went to Walmart and bought a temporary zirconia ring, thinking he could make it on time. But of course, he was too late.”
“Poor Nathan.” I covered my face. “I’m sorry I made you tell me. I ruined everything.”
“Don’t feel bad. I don’t think I could’ve held it in another second. The stress nearly killed me.”
We were interrupted by loud banging.
Jace ran to answer the door, and I followed.
When he opened, Nathan stood there with his mouth ajar, looking like he was afraid to say anything.
Jace put him out of his misery. “It’s okay. She knows.”
Nathan’s shoulders fell. “I’m sorry, sis. We fucked this up.”
I shook my head. “What are you apologizing for? Don’t you realize how ridiculously lucky I feel tonight? Not only that my boyfriend tried so hard to make tonight special, but that my brother cared enough to run around like a chicken with his head cut off?” I started crying. “I love you both so much.”
“The jeweler called from the hospital and told me to meet him there.” Nathan handed the ring box to Jace. “Here you go, man. Congratulations.”
A shiver ran down my spine.
“Don’t congratulate me yet. She didn’t say yes.”
Nathan patted Jace on the shoulder. “Before you do it, I have to tell you both something amazing.” He paused. “Guess what they named the baby?”
“What?” Jace asked.
He looked like he might cry. “Elizabeth.”
I whispered, “Mom’s name.”
“Yup.”
Jace wrapped his arm around my waist. “I prayed for their approval and asked for a sign. Maybe that’s it.”
Nathan looked between us and asked, “Should I go now?”
“Nah.” Jace waved his hand. “You might as well stay. Fitting that your ass will be breathing down my neck when I do it, just like always.”
Nathan stepped back a bit and smiled. When I looked over again, Jace was already down on one knee.
“Farrah, this didn’t turn out anything like it was supposed to, but honestly, has anything we’ve ever experienced together gone according to plan? That’s how we do it. I love you so much. You’re gonna be the best damn lawyer there ever was. And I can’t wait to be by your side every step of the way. I’ll be there for you no matter where the road takes us next. I love you more than life itself. Will you be my wife?” He opened the black ring box.
Tears filled my eyes as I looked down at the gorgeous sparkler. A large center stone was adorned on each side by the two diamonds that had belonged to our mothers, who’d be symbolically protecting our union forever.
“I love you so much,” I managed to say through my tears.
“Is that a yes?” He smiled.
“Yes!” I laughed. “Of course!”
Nathan fist-pumped. “Yes!”
Jace turned to him. “That’s a yes from you, too?”
I wiped the tears from my eyes. “I think this proposal worked out exactly the way it was meant to.”
“You know what?” Jace smiled. “I agree.”
Nathan clapped his hands together. “Can we celebrate?”
“I happen to have some sparkling cider in the fridge leftover from Thanksgiving,” I said.
“Pop it open, then!”
Jace kissed me on the cheek. “I’ll get it.”
I couldn’t stop looking down at my ring. Jace returned with three champagne flutes and the bottle. After popping the cork, he poured us each a glass.
Nathan was first to toast. “To my brother from another mother and my sister. May you have a long and happy marriage. And to the lucky woman I’ve yet to meet who will someday become the proud recipient of a fifty-dollar zirconia solitaire. Salud!”
We broke out into laughter.
This night…gosh, it was perfect.
Pulling my fiancé close, I lifted my glass and made a toast of my own. “To family…the one you’re born into and the one you make.”