Page 102 of Bad Boy Neighbor

Sebastian nods in agreement and begins talking about the game, but it’s hard to hear him over the crowd noise. Beside him, Lana cannot wipe the grin off her face. She looks like she’s ready to burst with a surprise, and part of me wonders if she’s pregnant again. It wouldn’t shock me, Olly wasn’t wrong when he said noise cancelling headphones were a must while living with them.

Olly is leaning on the fence in front of me, drenched in sweat, his face red with a satisfied smile.

I turn the phone around, giving Sebastian and Lana a moment to say hello.

“Hey, listen, guys, I’m going to go?—”

“No, don’t go! Just hand the phone over to Ma,” Lana demands.

What has gotten into her?

I pass the phone to Ma, shrugging my shoulders. I knew they met during their stay in Sydney, so I assume she wants to say hi.

With my full focus on Olly, I’m well aware fans have gathered around, desperate to grab an autograph and take a selfie. I lean over the fence, wrapping my hands around his neck and bringing him in for a long-awaited kiss.

“I’m so proud of you,” I say, rubbing my nose against his. “You looked so happy in your element.”

“Do you know what would make me even happier?”

Tilting my head to the side, my slack expression stares back at him with curiosity.

His hands run down my arms, ending with them nestled into my own. With a glorious smile, he drops down on one knee, watching me steadily.

Oh. My. God. This can’t be happening.

Ma hands him a navy-blue box, and quickly thanking her, he perches it in the middle of his palm.

Yep, it is happening.

I can feel my heartbeat, every single pound in my chest. It’s louder than the crowd around us, rapid and relentless, making it impossible to breathe. But the reason it’s hammering within my chest is because of the man standing in front of me.

My love.

My best friend.

My soulmate.

“Everyone is watching us,” I whisper, unable to hide my nerves.

“The whole world needs to know you’re mine.” Olly clears his throat, biting on his bottom lip with slight nervousness until the corners of his mouth turn upward. “Gabriella, from the moment I saw you, I knew you weren’t like anyone else. You challenge me, make me a better person, and most importantly, you are my best friend.”

I bring my hand toward my chest as Olly snaps the box open, and inside, buried in the matching navy cushion, sits a platinum square-cut diamond ring. It’s breathtaking.

“I love you. No matter how much I’ve tried to stop loving you over the past year, it proved impossible. You are the air I breathe, and without you, I don’t know how to exist. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Without hesitation, I repeatedly nod, unbeknown the tears have fallen down my cheeks—tears of pure joy.

The crowd erupts into loud applause, many whistling as Olly removes the ring from the box and slides it on my shaky finger. My brain stutters for a moment as my eyes admire the diamond ring, every part of me on pause while my thoughts catch up.

I raise my eyes to meet his gaze. “It’s perfect.”

“Just like you.”

His lips brush mine. Not innocently like a tease, but hot, fiery, passionate, and demanding. I want to pull away before I lose myself in front of the crowd watching us, including his family, but savoring this moment means so much more than other people’s opinions.

As we slowly pull away from each other, Ma hands me back my phone, but not without the biggest hug, welcoming me to their family.

“You’ve made my son the happiest he’s ever been.” She beams with pride.

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