Page 146 of The Replay

"Yes. For you, yes."

"I can't complain about this view either." She shoots out a hand and squeezes my side. "You're a very handsome guy, you know that?"

"You and all my fans know, and that's enough for me." I give her a winning smile.

She snorts, but her eyes remain playful. "I swear, if you post one more thirst trap with your jersey running up high…"

"Then, what? It's not like I'm the one posting those clips. It's my adoring fans doing the work. You know that."

"Fine." She kisses me. "As long as I remain the only one who can call you my own, I won't complain."

"Mi reina, I don't want anybody else."

I turn on my stone seat so I can caress her face. The view around us is perfect in a way that makes it feel like Mother Nature herself is cradling us. Like I have her blessing to act upon her legacy and create something worthwhile in the web of life she weaves. But to do that, I need Mariana gazing at me. It's the only way, as far as I'm concerned.

"My life is wonderful," I say. "Two championships. Your family seems to be getting used to the idea of us, my mom and abuela are healthy and happy and feeding us plenty…"

"Definitely not complaining about that either."

"I'd say my mom isn't as reticent as she was about us, once upon a time. Wouldn't you?"

"No, she's not. I think it's because you told her I argued with my parents and stood up to them for us. I changed the ending to that urban legend, didn't I?"

"We did. She sees it, I think"

"She does. Or she wouldn't have given me her blessing."

"She did?"

"Yeah, she did."

She smiles and takes a small box from the waistband of her leggings, hidden until then by the light sweater she'd tied around her hips.

I don't get to process much.

"Mari?" I ask.

My heart beats fast, racing against the moment, looking for a way to adjust to the mirth bubbling up inside and the sheer joy rising like a tide.

"I told you I was thinking about it." She gives me a lopsided smile. "I didn't know I'd be nervous, but here we are."

She opens the box. A slim gold band appears. A bit thinner than standard wedding rings, but with a hammered texture to keep it modern.

"I thought I would keep it simple, so you could add a wedding band of your choice to it— if you say yes. When you say yes because, you know. I'm really hedging my bets here. Part of that was talking to your mom. She told me she got it— that she understood that proposing is a statement. I'm showing up for us. Fighting for us. Choosing us this way too."

"Mari."

I take a deep breath. It settles into the calm, deep waters in my chest. I smile and keep my eyes on her.

"Dominic Wright. I love you."

"I love you too."

"Will you marry me?"

So much glee takes over me that it blanks my mind and I laugh. Then I shake my head and reach for my pocket.

"What's happening?" she asks. "I don't like the way you're moving your head."