Page 59 of The Ex-cavenger Hunt

Ethan grins, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he leans back in his seat, his hand still firmly clasped in mine. “That’s a fair compromise,” he agrees, his thumb tracing gentle circles on my skin. “Love you, Lily.”

My heart swells with emotion, and I feel tears prickling at the corners of my eyes. I bring our joined hands to my lips, pressing a soft kiss to his knuckles. “Love you more,” I whisper, my voice thick with the depth of my feelings for him.

As the plane takes off, I rest my head on Ethan’s shoulder, content in the knowledge that no matter where life takes us, we’ll always have each other.

Ethan

The Maldives, with its endless canvas of stars and the gentle lull of the ocean, serves as the perfect backdrop for what I’m about to do.

Lily and I have come a long way since our road trip, a year filled with growth, understanding, and love deeper than I ever thought possible. Tonight, under the celestial glow and the soft symphony of waves, I plan to ask Lily to spend the rest of her life with me.

I’ve chosen a secluded spot on the beach for us, away from the lights of the resort. The sand is cool under our feet, and the night air is filled with the scent of the sea.

Lily is radiant in the moonlight, her laughter a melody that’s become my favorite sound. We talk about the underwater yoga she attended while I was on my Jet Ski. Also about the future, but my mind is focused on the words I’ve rehearsed a hundred times in my head. As our conversation lulls, I know it’s time.

“Lily,” I start, my heart pounding in my chest, “this past year with you has been the most incredible journey of my life. We’ve discovered so much together, about the world, about ourselves. And through it all, I’ve realized that every moment with you is a treasure.”

I go down on one knee, the sand yielding beneath me, her hand tightening in mine.

I reach into my pocket, retrieving the ring that symbolizes our past, present, and future. “Lily, I love you more than words can express. You’ve brought color into my life in shades I never knew existed. Will you marry me? Will you let me share every moment, every adventure, every challenge, and joy with you, for the rest of our lives?”

The pause that follows feels like an eternity, though it’s only a breath. Then, her answer, a single word filled with emotion, joy, and love, transforms the moment into a memory we’ll cherish forever. “Yes,” she whispers, and the world bursts back into motion, the stars above us witnesses to our promise, the ocean singing a chorus of congratulations.

As I slide the ring onto her finger, the commitment feels as natural as the tide, as right as the constellations above. This night. This proposal—is just the beginning.

It’s the beginning of us and our next chapter.

I’ve offered my heart and soul to the woman who completes me. And she said yes.

She said yes to us.

She said yes to continue exploring for the rest of our lives.

She said yes to become my forever—a masterpiece that will withstand the test of time.

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What’s next for Kendall?

Knot Really Engaged.

A fake relationship, best friend’s little sister, childhood crush romance

About the book . . .

Our little white lie tied us up in ways we never expected.

I promised my family I would bring my boyfriend home.

Everything was going my way.

Until his wife showed up at the airport instead of him.

Thankfully, my brother’s best friend is taking the same flight.

Liam Cohen saw me at my worst, but during our trip, we make a pact:

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