Page 166 of Jace
My throat tightens, a bittersweet sensation. “I’m sorry I didn’t get to tell you in a special way. I had big plans to, but I was so?—”
“Don’t apologize for making my dreams come true, Viv. We’re right here, where we belong.” He nuzzles my nose, grinning. “Actually, we’re supposed to be two blocks down the street at your house with you showing me the plans for our new gallery.”
I do it.
I let myself squeal with excitement. “Let’s go!”
Yes, it’s possible to drag a six-foot-six man down the cobblestone streets of Charleston. Especially when you tranquilize him with rambling plans about gallery lighting and paint.
Entering the code for the iron gate to my courtyard, I’m stressing over the perfect color. “Not all whites are the same.” I’m boring Jace, but he’s just grinning. “We could go with something warm, but I want a true, creamy neutral?—”
White.
Everywhere.
I gasp at my courtyard.
White jasmine vines blossom in an explosion of light over my pergola, reaching for the deepening sky, their starry flowers more abundant than usual. Like they’ve been doubled.
White magnolia petals carpet my antique brick terrace. It takes me a moment to realize they’re fashioned into a heart,trimmed with glowing candles in glass votives. Their flicker dancing in the early evening light.
Black-and-white photos in ash wood frames nestle beside the candles. Pictures of me that Jace secretly took on the beach. Shots I thought I snuck of him, reading on his stool. Photos Delphine took, close-ups of our tender kisses.
“Jace…” I turn to him, joy spilling over my lashes. “What… what did you do?”
He takes my hand, pressing it to his heart. It’s thundering under his sweaty, starched shirt. “I fell in love with my best friend, and now I have something to ask her.”
He leads me to the pergola dripping with columns of white jasmine blooms; their calming perfume can’t quell my fluttering heart.
Lowering to one knee, he lifts a white velvet ring box from a round, woven seagrass table.
Who put it there? And when? And oh my god, he did all this for me?
“Vivian Tate, I’ve had a year to plan what to say right now.” The ring box shakes in his hand. “All these poetic quotes about loving you and growing old with me, and you being my sun and stars and light and… Ahem. Sorry.” He swallows. Tears brimming. Mine spill. “But I never thought I’d get to ask youandmy baby. I never imagined… God, Viv.” He reaches for my hips, awkwardly jostling the box in his grasp. His smile flooded like his eyes. His lips tenderly kiss my belly before he gazes up at me. “I never dreamed I’d get this honor to ask you both; will you marry me?”
“Yes.” Shaking, crying, smiling, I cup his whiskered jaw. “Yes. Yes, Jace Ryan, we’ll marry you.”
“Give her the ring!” a muffled voice booms from inside my house.
Startled, I glance over and see a crowd gathered by the bay window in my dining room. Delphine’s in front, taking our picture, and Grant’s gesturing to Jace, wagging his left finger. “The ring, fucker. It’s not official without it.”
I laugh, loving this life we’re about to begin. Breathless at the ring Jace slides onto my finger.
“It’s an icy-white diamond,” he explains its hazy sparkle. “It reminded me of a flash bulb, perfect for my wife, the photographer. It’s even square, like one, and cushion-cut. Five carats. It looks like you, antique and…” He shakes his head. “I mean,youdon’t look antique. You’re fucking beautiful, but the ring is?—”
“Perfect.” I tug him to stand up, to kiss me. “You’re picture perfect.”
With our kiss, a cacophony of muffled shouts explodes from my house before the back door opens, and everyone spills out, clapping and pulling us into hugs.
In a blur, I’m in my mom’s arms, her tearful hug warm and strong. “Oh, my sweet child. Your father would love him. You have our blessing.” She squeezes even tighter. “And you’re making me a Nana; I’m moving back home.”
I’m shocked, sobbing, laughing with my mom before Harlow’s next.
“Told you he had a crush on you.” She whispers into our embrace. “Now you get a colossal clit thrilleranda fuckable friend guarding your heart for life. I’m so happy for you.”
I pull back, wiping my eyes. “I have so much to tell you. I met Wilder Lawless and?—”
Her palm flies up, stopping me. “This is your day, not my drama. That man and his motorcycle can kiss my ass.”
