Page 53 of Take the Bait

“I’m ready whenever you are,” she heard herself say.

“No take backs.” Tucker’s eyes glinted with mischief.

Her mouth opened then shut, like a fish out of water.

“How about this weekend?” He asked, nerves replaced with tenderness and anticipation.

“This weekend?” Hanna spluttered. “Like… this weekend? As in like, three days from now? Like,this weekend, this weekend?”

“Now you’re getting it.”

“But—I?—”

“Your sister and best friend will be here.” He said, making a list on his fingers. “My family is already here, and Shawn will gladly be my best man. I’m sure your parents will drive down because I may or may not have already called them to ask. And if I know you, you don’t want some big event where three hundred people are staring as you walk down the aisle while you do everything in your power not to trip over a beautiful, expensive gown.”

He’d really thought about this. Right down to?—

“You called my parents for a wedding I haven’t even agreed to yet?”

He pulled a small, wooden box out of his pocket and pushed it across the table.

“I also know that an elaborate proposal would just stress you out,” he said, his voice catching.

She opened it and gasped—a delicate rose gold art deco ring sat nestled among the cushions, with small diamonds scattered throughout and a slightly larger diamond in the center.

“I’ve been carrying it around since New Year’s Day last year,” Tucker said.

“You—” Hanna was rarely speechless, but the ring wasperfect.She hadn’t put much thought to what she’d want in a wedding ring, other than she wanted it to be simple and small. Not something that would easily get caught on her clothes or make her nervous to put it on, in case some freak accident happened where it fell down the grates of the New York City subway while visiting Madi and Bella. Because if that would happen to anyone, it’d happen to her.

It was minimalistic, but beautiful. Small and perfect and gorgeous.

“Just like you,” Tucker whispered.

Whoops. She must’ve said that last part aloud.

“I love you, Hanna. I’ve known for a year and a half now that I’d marry you one day.” Tucker sighed, running his fingers through his hair. His nerves were adorable. “I love your awkward stories. I love that you can’t cook worth a damn. I love how sweet you are—how loving and loyal and generous and kind you are to everyone, especially the people you care most about. But mostly, I love how you make life fun. When I met you, I was so stretched thin and stressed out. And you made me laugh like I hadn’t laughed in a long time. You still do. And I want that—I wantyou—for the rest of my life. If you’ll have me.”

He looked at her expectantly, his face filled with vulnerability as he laid himself bare.

“Yeesh.” Hanna said, breathless, then realized that wasn’t a word. “I mean, yesh. Wait, no, I meant—yes. Yes!”

Tucker’s shoulders were shaking with barely restrained laughter as he pulled the ring out, grabbed her left hand, and put the ring on her.

“I love you so fucking much, you weirdo.” He kissed her across the table, and her cheeks went pink.

“Love you, too.” Admiring the ring on her finger, she cupped Tucker’s cheek, her eyes burning with tears. “Love you so much. You’ve made me so happy. And I can’t wait to marry you this weekend.”

She grabbed her phone and changed the name of the group chat toHanna’s Bridesmaids.

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