Page 167 of Come Back to Me

“Okay.” I step down out of the truck and close the door, slowly making my way over the front door of the store.

When I open it, there’s a line of candles and violets that stretch all the way to the checkout counter.

Am I hallucinating, or does that sign say what I think it does?

There’s a brown paper banner strung up onto the checkout counter with a question painted on it.

Will You Marry Me?

The words are bold and clear in white with violets and pink bows randomly placed.

I hear the bell ding, which means someone came through the entrance. Turning around, I lower my head and see Grayson on one knee with a velvet ring box in his hand.

What is going on?

“Are you about to do what I think you’re about to do?”

He reaches for my hand, holding onto it for dear life. “Do you remember when we told everybody we were dating again and my mom thought I was proposing to you?”

I giggle, struggling to keep myself intact. “Yeah.”

“I knew in the back of my head that this day would come eventually, and now it’s finally here.” His eyes take in every feature on my face. “We met each other when we were kids, and I fell for you so hard when we entered our adolescent years. We had what felt like a whirlwind romance, and it was ultimately cut short. Somehow, I knew we’d make our way back into each other’s lives.” He clears his throat and continues. “You are one of the strongest people I’ve ever met. You’re kind, wickedly smart, and incredibly driven. You have the greatest capacity for love. You care so much about people. You’ve always been there for me, and I always want to be there for you.” He opens the box, revealing a teardrop-shaped half-carat diamond with four prongs in a sheer pink color. “Violet Rose Prescott, will you marry me?”

The tears are flowing steadily out of my eyes, and I smile at him. “Y-yes.”

He gets up off the floor and pulls me into a warm embrace.

I’m home.

My hands are shaking, my heart is beating incredibly loud, and Ican’t breathe through my nose.

He does something on his phone, and the store is bombarded with surprise appearances from family and friends.

I look around at everybody who came to support us, my tears blurring my vision.

“I’m so happy for you guys,” Dani says as she hugs me.

Noah does his signature handshake with Grayson. “I knew you could do it, man.”

“Congrats, bro.” Xander puts his hand on the top of Grayson’s shoulder.

Laura comes over to both of us to give us a group hug. “I couldn’t be more excited to see what else life has in store for you two.”

I smile. “Thank you, Laur.”

My walls are broken down completely when Dana comes over to us. “I want you both to promise me something.”

“Anything, Mom.” Grayson wraps his arm around her.

“Never stop loving each other, taking care of each other, and making each other happy. This is the kind of love I’ve always wanted for my son, and I’m so happy he’s spending the rest of his life with you.”

“I’m going to have the coolest mother-in-law.”

All three of us laugh in unison.

“You’re damn right, you are.” She walks away from us, leaving me overwhelmed by all the emotions I’m feeling.

“We have dinner reservations at The Wave. My mom and Laura were in charge of that, so we’re going to meet everybody there. How does that sound?” He searches my face, noticing I’m not okay. “Violet, talk to me.”