Page 107 of The Guy Who Became My Grumpy Boss

“Later.”

I relinquished my device to him, and he put both his and mine on the table.

I could tell Peter was nervous, but he hid it well. We chatted about each of my friends as we went through the course. Teresa’s display was a giant musical instrument that looked as if it should be in a Dr. Seuss book, and Nanette’s was a minefield of clarinet parts, batons, and sheet music.

We’d gone on several more dates to mini golf courses over the last few months, and Peter had yet to win. Today was no different. He scowled, but I could tell he wasn’t actually upset.

Rachel’s hole was several archways made up of random old things she must have found in her estate sales, and not surprisingly, Ashley’s was a tricky ramp made of blown glass.

When we got to number seven, I saw it was made up of things that Peter and I had done, including a DVD of a disaster movie, another golf club, a small fake fire, some flowers, and a few ofthe places in the city that we’d visited. I noticed the flag in the hole said “Danger Zone” on it and laughed. “Who told you?”

“Ashley,” Peter admitted.

“That traitor.” I’d put a bet on the fact that my ring was connected to the flag.

“I like it,” Peter purred in my ear.

I swatted him away and took my turn.

His shot was so bad I knew he’d done it on purpose. “Go ahead,” he said as I walked toward the hole.

With a deep breath, I tugged the flag free.

I frowned when I found nothing attached to it.

Slightly disappointed, I finished my turn—getting a score of two—and waited for Peter.

Instead of being at the beginning of the hole, he’d walked up behind me.

“I know you said I didn’t need to do anything special for our engagement, but I wanted to make it something memorable.” He glanced around. “If not private.”

“Did you make all of these?” I pointed at the holes.

“No, your friends made them. I wanted them to be part of this.” Peter scratched his neck, something he’d started doing when he was trying to stay calm.

I walked to him and took his hand. “I love it.”

Peter smiled. “I’m sorry to say, but I practiced this next part.”

My throat tightened, and I swallowed. “Okay.”

Peter took my golf club and set it on the ground. Then he pulled a ring box from his pocket and got down on one knee.

The man I loved was looking up at me with adoration, and I willed myself not to cry.

“Jessica, you’ve brought joy into my life. Joy I never thought I could feel.” He swallowed.

I tried to keep my breathing even.

Peter went on. “I’m a better person because of you. I seethe world differently because of you.” He swallowed. “I love you more than you can ever know.”

My anti-crying techniques began to fail, and a single tear escaped.

“You understand me better than anyone ever has. You’re patient with me. You’re kind to me. You’re also firm when I need it.” Peter sniffed. “I can only hope to be half as wonderful to you as you are to me. I will work every day to make you happy.” He opened the box to reveal the ring I’d picked out. “Jessica, will you marry me?”

I’d hoped not to be a blubbering mess for this, but a sob clawed its way up my throat, and I dropped to my knees.

Peter wrapped his arms around me and held me tight.

“Yes, I’ll marry you, because I love you too.”

“I’m glad,” he whispered in my ear.

“Nice speech,” I said.

“Thanks.”

Then we kissed, and I was suddenly glad no one was there with us.

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