Page 12 of Lily, Unwritten

I noticed a present on it that hadn’t been there earlier. I sat down on the plush cream coloured stool. “Can I?”

Zack nodded. “Of course.”

The present was chunky and heavy as I unwrapped it. Underneath the paper – it was like Dior heaven. An eyeshadow palette, a lipstick selection, perfume, skin care. If Dior made it, it was in there.

“Zack! You spent way too much. We’re meant to be saving for the house. This on top of the shoes and everything else?”

He kissed the top of my head. “I might have negotiated the signing bonus higher. And there is nothing in the world I’d rather spend it on than you.”

I sighed deeply. “Zack…” I was lost for words as he pulled me to him, his mouth sweet and tender on mine.

“Get dressed, I’m taking you somewhere fancy.”

“Are you sure you want to go straight home?” Zack asked later that afternoon.

“Yep. Lunch was beautiful, but I ate too much, I’m tired. Let’s just go home. I want to spend the rest of my birthday snuggled up with you.”

“Give me two minutes, work issue.”

I sat on a bench in the street, happy as I watched the world go by. I was tipsy, content, and full of fresh pasta. This was the best day ever. I didn’t mind that Zack had to deal with a ‘work issue’, he’d been busy finalising everything since he handed his notice in. He was so excited about the new job; our lives were taking off. Just like Luke had wanted…

I shook my head, forcing the thought away.

“Tram or Uber?” Zack asked as he slipped his phone into his pocket.

“Can we Uber?” I asked as my mouth brushed his neck. “Really want to get home and slob.”

Zack pulled his phone back out and opened the app. I casually rubbed at his shoulders as he seemed to have raised them up, a certain sign he was stressed.

A short time later, we walked up our gravel driveway, holding hands as we wobbled slightly, thanks to the lunchtime wine. Zack unlocked the door and pulled me to him, before pressing me up against it as he kissed me. “You have no idea how much I love you.”

“I think I do because I love you just the same.” I slid my hand inside the back of his well fitted jeans, but he stopped me.

“Shh. Don’t.” He smiled as he pressed a quick kiss to the tip of my nose. “You want your next present?”

I nodded. “You’ve set quite a precedent today, you know, Zachary.”

He pushed me against the door once more and kissed me with rough, fierce passion; I could feel how much he wanted me. “You’re going to ruin the next present.” He took my hand and led me into the living room.

I gasped and did a double take. The heavy curtains were drawn, casting the room into darkness even though it was only late afternoon. My beautiful roses were center stage on the coffee table, and the candles lit around the room created a soft, flickering glow as they spread the aroma of vanilla pods and caramel. Next to the roses stood a bottle of champagne; condensation dripped seductively down onto the two crystal glasses at its side.

“How did you do this?” I asked.

Zack smiled and sat me down on the couch, facing him. “I’m going to ruin the alphabet now, Lily.”

I smiled and ran my hand through his mane of sexy hair. “Nothing could ruin today, it’s incredible.”

He placed a single kiss to my lips. “I struggled with E. I thought about earrings. Eggplant, maybe, if I felt American, I know you and Cassie use that emoji a lot.”

A laugh burst from my mouth, but Zack didn’t join in, instead he sucked in a deep breath.

“In the end, though, there was only one E it could be.” He reached into his pocket, a definite tremble in his hand. “It means ending the birthday alphabet here because this… this is everything, and I hope that no amount of gifts or shoes or cakes could ever compare.” Zack held a small velvet box in front of me. My hand flew to my chest, my breath caught up within.

He pressed his finger onto the lid and the box sprang open in what seemed like slow motion. My eyes focused in on a stunning, perfect ring. A large, halo-cut diamond sparkled atop a platinum band. My eyes met Zack’s, lost in the moment.

“Lily… from the first day I met you, that magical coffee, I knew you’d be the only woman I ever wanted, the last woman I ever loved. I think that most days I tell you that you’re my everything, I mean it. I mean every word. The words ‘I love you’ don’t even come close to what I feel for you.” He gulped with emotion, and my eyes began to sting and blur. “Lily Forshaw… will you marry me?” He pulled the ring out of the box and held it against the tip of my finger. Only then did I realise he was down on one knee.

“Yes.” I said it too quietly. I nodded and moved in to kiss him, wanting to affirm it. “Yes, Zack. Yes.”

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