Page 49 of Pucking Never

“Did you know that was the night I lost my virginity?” I softly ask, after several moments.

Jensen looks at me, the surprise clear in his wide eyes. “What? No! I had no idea.”

I smile at him. “Yep. You were my first, and it was honestly so perfect, I couldn’t have imagined a better way to lose it.”

He chuckles softly. “Well, I hope I’m your last as well.”

I grin. “Do you, now?”

He nods. “Yep, and I have something for you, actually.”

“Oh?” I ask. “What is it?”

He reaches into the pocket of his swim trunks and digs around for a bit before producing a small velvet box. The world around me goes still and my heart stops. I gaze between the box and Jensen, momentarily speechless.

“What…what…?” I stammer.

“Grace,” he begins as he sinks to one knee in front of me. “You are the love of my life. Since the moment I met you in Miami, a part of me knew you were it for me. When I didn’t think I’d ever see you again, I… I wasn’t sure what I was going to do. I knew I’d never find another woman like you. When we found each other again in Denver, I knew we were meant to be. That the universe or fate or whatever was bringing us together. You make me laugh and feel like I can do anything, so long as I have you by my side. There is no one else that I want to be with, Grace, now or ever. You have my heart and I don’t ever want you to give it back. I want to spend the rest of my life loving you. Will you be my wife?”

He opens the box to reveal a gorgeous diamond ring with a white-gold band. I stare down at him, dumbstruck, for several seconds.

“Grace?” Jensen gently prods. “Baby? What do you think?”

I snap out of my daze and let out an ecstatic shriek before launching myself at him and knocking him backwards into the sand. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I shower his face and neck with kisses.

“Yes!” I exclaim. “Yes, yes, yes, yes! Yes! I’ll marry you!”

He’s laughing, and then his lips find mine. We sit up and he slips the ring on my finger, and I’m so happy that I have tears in my eyes.

Looking up at Jensen, I whisper, “I love you.”

“I love you too,” he replies as he holds me close. Safe and secure in his arms, I feel so grateful for this man and his love, and I can’t wait to continue building our life together. When I met him during Spring Break all those years ago, I’d only wanted a week of fun with no strings attached. Instead, I found the man I want to spend the rest of my life with, and I have never been so grateful for a well-laid plan to go so poorly.

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