Page 73 of The Perfect Putt

“Haven’t you ever gone to an open house for a home you know you’re never going to buy?” she asks me.

I scrunch my nose up. “No, that’s weird. Have you done that?”

“Not relevant.”

“You just brought it–”

“Anyway, I’m taking you to look at it because you never know, you might be ready to buy it sooner than you think.”

“Did you buy lottery tickets again? I swear every time you buy those you act extra weird.”

“I do not. And no, I didn’t. I just think this building is cute and that you’d like it.”

“It doesn’t matter if I like it. I can’t afford it. If it’s still here in a few months, I’ll look at it then.”

“You can look at it now and then in a few months if it’s still here you’ll know you want it.”

We come to a stop outside of the carved oak doors. It really is a beautiful building. It used to be an accounting office, but they recently moved to Cape Alamanda to expand their clientele.

Molly starts to fluff my hair for me. I pull my head back and raise my brows.

“Um, what are you doing?”

“Oh, just making sure you look professional.”

“I’m in a sundress and sandals,” I say flatly. “I don’t think my hair is the problem here.”

“You look great! Let’s go in.”

“Why are you acting so strange?” I ask her as she opens up one of the large doors.

I step inside and gasp. The entire space is covered in flowers of various kinds and colors. It feels as though we’ve stepped into a botanical garden instead of an accounting firm. And there in the very center of the blooms, is Miles.

I slowly make my way to him. There’s a small path just big enough for me to walk to the opening he’s standing in. My heart picks up speed in my chest. By the time I reach him I can hear the rapid beat in my ears.

He takes my hands in his and even though I’m nervous, I feel safe with him. These past few months have proven that Miles loves me in the way I’ve always hoped to be loved. The way that I watched my sister be loved. The way that Diane and Paulie love each other. And my parents too. A love that isn’t just all-consuming passion, but also dedication and thoughtfulness. One that puts the other person first because they care about their needs over their own. That’s the way Miles loves me. And the way I love him.

“Is this what I think it is?” I whisper and he smiles, squeezing my hands.

“I guess you’ll have to wait and see.”

He steps back and lowers himself to one knee while still holding my hands. My eyes start to water at the sight of him like this. When I first started to fall for him I worried that I’d never have this with him. I’m so glad I was wrong.

“I love you, Red. I fell in love with you a little over three months ago and I haven’t stopped falling. Every day I fall more in love with you than the last. I tell myself there’s no possible way that I can love her any more than I do in this moment, and then I see you smile and I prove myself wrong.”

I try to blink back my tears, but it’s no use. I just have to hope my mascara holds up under all my emotions.

“You’re kind, sexy, thoughtful, intelligent, and ambitious. Your smile brightens my entire world and if you’ll let me, I want to spend my entire life basking in the glow of it.” He lets go of my hands to pull a ring box out of his pocket. “Ellie Hart, will you marry me?” The box opens to reveal a stunning pear-shaped diamond set into a gold band.

“Yes,” I whisper, nodding as tears stream freely down my face. He slides the ring on my finger before shooting up to his feet and wrapping me in a hug.

His mouth presses against mine in a fierce kiss. The kind that says til death do us part. I kiss him back, proclaiming forever with each brush of my lips. When Miles pulls away I’m breathless and sure that my lips are swollen.

“We’re engaged,” I say with a little laugh.

He grins down at me in the boyish way I love. “We are.”

I look down at my ring. It catches the light coming through the windows, casting rainbows on the nearby surfaces.

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