Page 264 of Daddy, Take Me Away
As if Fiona can see through my eyes, she says, “Told you you needed to see it. Click the link.”
I’m shaking but I do as she instructs and Amadeo’s handsome face comes onto the screen.
“I’m the fake boyfriend and I have a confession. I don’t want to be a fake boyfriend anymore. Even though I was too stubborn to see it at first, there’s nothing fake about my feelings for Zoë Wayz. I don’t know exactly when it happened, but I fell in love with her.”
Just as quickly as he came on the screen, his face disappears, and a slideshow, complete with melodic soundtrack, plays.
My eyes widen as each new picture or short video clip shows all the things we’d done. The waterfall, the parasailing, the hang gliding, there’s even a terrible shot of my terrified face as the bungee cord releases and we plunge down into the canyon below. Seriously, the sound of my scream is so horrifying, heat flushes my cheeks in embarrassment. All of our adventures play on the screen for the world to see.
When the reel finally stops, tears are rolling down my cheeks and Amadeo is back on the screen.
“Stop crying, the best is yet to come,” Fiona orders as if she can see me.
“She had no idea our helmets were equipped with GoPros because she didn’t care about filming any of it. She was just lost in the moment and I was lost in her. I posted this video so you could all see the Zoë I see. The realest, bravest, sweetest, most adventurous person in the world, or at least in my world.” Amadeo’s look turns serious.
“Zoë, I’m not going to sit here in front of the world and ask you to marry me, but I am going to propose something.” My handsome fake boyfriend smiles into the camera and my heart flips at the sight I thought I’d never see again.
“I propose you don’t stop having adventures and experiences, you just have them with me. I don’t have some big-ass fake engagement ring like your ex did, but I’m going to ask you to be my partner in life and my best friend, while we explore this fabulous world together. And Fuck tradition anyway, this life is ours for the taking, and I want to take it with you.”
Now, I’m full-on crying. No, actually, I’m down right blubbering.
“So, will you, Zoë Wayz, be my partner for every adventure from here on out, as long as we both shall live?”
Sniffling and hiccupping, I post a link to a very short video of me, in all my swollen-eyed blubbering glory saying two words.
I will.
A private video message appears on my screen within seconds of my post.
“Is it him?” My sister, who I forgot was still on the phone, asks.
I breathe out a shudder and answer, “Uh-huh.”
“Answer it!”
“I’m hanging up, Fi, I’ll call you later.”
“No, I need?—”
I cut her off, ending the call on my cell while simultaneously answering the video call on my laptop.
“Hey, honey, before I hold you to your answer, I need to ask you one more privately.”
I nod, unable to find any words.
“Will you please let me in?”
I’m confused for a moment, not understanding the question.
“I’m here, honey. Can you please open up the door?”
My eyes widen and I look toward my front door.
“Yes, I’m out here.” Now the voice echoes from the hallway and my laptop. I rise and rush to it, throwing it open without checking the peephole
“Amadeo.” My heart squeezes at the sight of him.
He shoves into the room, kicking the door shut with his foot, while scooping me up into his arms.
