Page 56 of Forever Love-Reimagined

“What do you mean?” I wasn’t opposed to doing something for her. I loved her, and she needed to know how serious I was.

“You need to go all out. Shower her with love. Rom-com style.” His eyes were darting back and forth like he was searching for answers.

“I still believe that having an honest discussion—” Poor David was ignored like Charlie Brown’s teacher.

“A scavenger hunt!” Ty shouted as proud as a peacock.

I stared at him disbelievingly. “A scavenger hunt? Why would I do that?”

“Why wouldn’t you do that? Anyone would be impressed with a scavenger hunt. Putting clues all over New York only to have her end up with you as the prize. That’s genius!”

“Okay. Hold on.” I rubbed my temples trying to push the idea out of my brain. “I got it!” Now I sounded like Ty.

“You have what? I gave you a golden idea. You didn’t need to come up with anything.” He crossed his arms defiantly.

“Well, your idea might have been golden, but mine is platinum.” I beamed.

“What does that mean?”

“What if I do a scavenger hunt, but the prize is… me?”

“Do you hear yourself? I literally said you were the prize.”

“No, you simpleton. I mean, the prize is me asking her to marry me. Like she gets me forever.”

“Yes!” he said excitedly. “Why didn’t I think of that?” Ty and I jumped up and down like we had won the lottery.

“Blake, is this a little rash? Didn’t you say the idea of marriage triggered you?” David came in with his logic, bringing our excitement down a notch.

“You’re right. But there is nothing I fear more than losing Leia, and marriage didn’t seem so scary if it was to her.” And a smile played across my face at the thought of waking up next to her for the rest of our lives.

“Before, I viewed it as a contract because that was how I grew up. You only got married if it was mutually beneficial for you. And the thought of that made me sick. It was transactional and had nothing to do with commitment.” I shook my head, thinking about my parents. “But just because that’s all I’ve seen, doesn’t mean that’s how my marriage has to be.”

“When you think about being married, what does your heart tell you?” David asked earnestly.

“I’ve never thought about marriage until now, but when I picture my life, she’s always in it, and that makes my heart dance. I don’t need to marry her to know she’s my person and I won’t be with anyone else. The difference is, I want to marry her because she’s my person. We’ve been together for many lives over, and I want the same in this life. Is that a ridiculous fantasy?”

Ty and David stood there with tears in their eyes, and I couldn’t help but join them.

“So you’re sure? This is what you want?” David wrapped his arms around me and Ty, making it a group hug.

“I have zero doubts.”

“How can we help?” Ty questioned.

“Well, I’ll start writing clues and then you give them to the places?”

“Sounds good. We’ll split it up to make it go faster,” David responded.

“Yeah, but don’t send her too many places, or you’ll be waiting a long time before she shows up.”

“Good point. I can’t believe I’m going to do this,” I squealed. “Oh my god. I need to get a ring.”

“You’re fine. Text Leia and see what time she’s coming over. Then we can figure out if we have time to do it all.” Ty handed me my phone.

“You’re so smart, buddy.” I shot off a message, but the response I got back wasn’t what I had hoped for. “She said she can’t make it today, but she loves me and will talk to me tomorrow.”

“Oh, babe. Do you think it’s a sign not to do this?” Normally, I would have agreed with Ty’s words, but why would she say she loved me if she was breaking up with me?

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