Page 81 of The First Best Man

“Beware of the Bush Monkey.” I look up at Tucker. “I love it.”

Memories of the scavenger hunt trickle through my mind as I hug the monkey to my chest. I don’t know if I’ve ever laughed so hard as I did that day, trying like hell to keep a straight face while Tucker thought he was in real danger of being attacked by fictional monkeys. It was the start of a real friendship that quickly grew into more, and Tucker’s gift is a perfect token of his affection.

I squeeze the monkey harder, then freeze whensomething small and hard pokes into my chest. Holding the toy up, I study it and find a thin gold chain around its neck that disappears beneath its t-shirt. My eyes dart up to meet Tucker’s, and his are swimming with emotion as he gives me an encouraging nod.

Swallowing thickly, I slip a fingertip beneath the chain and tug it lightly. A small bulge moves beneath the fabric, and when I finally pull it free, I start to cry. Dangling in front of my face is an exquisite, verylargediamond set in a ring and surrounded by tiny sapphires.

I’m frozen as tears drip down my cheeks, staring mutely at the ring while Tucker leans in to release the delicate clasp of the necklace. He closes his fingers around the ring and blocks it from sight, breaking the hypnotic spell I’d fallen under as I stared at it.

“Kate Reid,” he says, plucking the box from my lap and tossing it aside before sitting on the edge of the bed next to me, “you are my reason for living. The only woman I’ve ever loved, and the only woman I everwilllove. I want to spend the rest of my life making you as happy as you’ve made me. I want to have babies with you. Raise them together into awesome humans and watch them soar. I want to grow old with you by my side, always smiling just like you are right now…though maybe with a few less tears.”

He pauses to reach out and dry my cheeks, and a chuckle bursts out of me, unbidden. Tucker smiles, then takes a deep breath.

“Make me even happier than I’ve been this entire last year, Kate. Say yes. Say you’ll marry me.”

I’m nodding before he finishes, fresh tears pouringdown my cheeks in twin trails of love and devotion. “Yes, Tucker. I want to marry you. I want to be your wife.”

Tucker barks out a laugh as his own tears start to fall, and he takes my left hand. I hold my breath as he slides the cool metal onto my ring finger. It’s a perfect fit.

Just like the two of us.

“I love you,” he breathes. “Forever, Kate.”

“I love you, too, Tucker. Always."

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