Page 88 of The Fake Play

She smiles up at me, her eyes shining with emotion that makes my heart race.

“Promise?”

“I promise.”

Chapter 38

Keke

Everything was perfect—almost too perfect. The restaurant was dimly lit, with delicate glass lanterns casting a golden glow across white linen tablecloths. The sounds of hushed conversations and clinking wine glasses added to the atmosphere.

I glance around, my heart thrumming with a mix of excitement and nerves. This is the kind of place where moments that change lives are crafted. And tonight, I am certain that moment is happening for us.

If I have to have a public proposal, then so be it.

The past month has taught me a lot. About me, Luke, love, and the way hardship can bring people together. Between bouts of morning sickness and helping him with his rehab, it’s been tough. When he invited me out for a nice date to show his appreciation, I had a feeling I knew what was really up. And this time, I didn’t mind the idea of doing it in public.

Those hours at his hospital bedside taught me one thing—life is too damn short to worry about getting the perfect proposal or what social media and the headlines are saying about my guy. It seems odd to say so, but his concussion brought things into focus for me. I wasn’t hung up on perfection anymore. I was justso grateful that he was alive and he had come out of it relatively unscathed that a nerve-shredding public proposal seemed like icing on the cake.

Luke looks across the table at me, a slight smile tugging at his lips as he watches me take it all in. “Like it?”

“It’s beautiful,” I reply, buzzing with anticipation. I don’t want to overthink it, but I can’t ignore the signs. Tonight is the night, I’m sure of it.

After that terrifying night at the hospital, I let the walls around my heart crumble. I didn’t need them anymore. I knew I loved him. I loved him more than I’d ever thought possible, and I was ready to take that next step.

I watch him now from across the table, the thrill of what’s to come hitting me over and over, as I wait for him to pull out a ring and ask me to be his forever.

The appetizers arrive—oysters for him and duck wontons for me—and then nothing.

I make conversation but I’m distracted, waiting for every possible moment he might take to get down on one knee. But he doesn’t.

Okay, maybe he’s hungry.

Our salads and dinner arrive without any fanfare, just a normal dining experience.

Is he waiting for dessert?

As the evening goes on, I start to notice little things. Luke seems distracted. Every few minutes, he glances at his watch, his brow furrowing slightly. I try not to let it bother me, but with each glance, I feel my nerves spike.

By the time dessert arrives—a delicate orange soufflé dusted with powdered sugar—I am practically on edge. I look up, waiting for him to make a move, to pull out a ring or at least hint that he’s about to. But he just smiles, digging into his soufflé, oblivious to the mounting expectation swirling in my chest.

I force myself to smile, to enjoy the night, even as disappointment settles over me. Maybe he has something else planned. Wait—is it in my dessert?

I take small spoonful’s to make sure I don’t accidentally swallow my ring. But I dig and dig, finding nothing.

Maybe I’ve been reading too much into things. I’d already turned him down once. What if he never asks me again, too gun-shy to try? The fear gnaws at me. I’d finally gotten on board with the idea of marriage, and now, I could be left behind.

Maybe he has something planned at our next stop.

We walk along the quiet city streets, eventually arriving at the aquarium. I’d loved going there as a kid, but I hadn’t been in years. The lobby is nearly empty, the quiet of the evening creating an intimate atmosphere as we wander through the exhibits, watching vibrant fish and majestic sea turtles swim lazily through the water. It’s beautiful, romantic even, and yet, still nothing.

By the time we leave the aquarium, my patience is wearing thin.

He wants to take a walk through the park.

Seriously?

I smile and agree to the walk while what I really want to do is scream. The moonlight throws silver shadows on the path as the trees rustle in the night breeze.

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