Page 139 of If You Need Me

Our parents and siblings converge on us next, hugging us, then dragging us to the photo booth. Sam keeps side-eying Dallas though which just makes Paris laugh. In the months Dallas and I have been together, we’ve made a point of going home to visit our families, and our parents adore each other. They were already friendly, but now they have dinner togetheronce a week. I love how much our love has united the people most important to us.

We take silly pictures in the photo booth. We drink spiked punch and eat pizza and laugh and dance. It’s everything I could have ever wanted for the prom I missed. And it means that much more because all the people I adore are here to experience it with us.

Dallas cues up one of my favorite slow songs from high school and holds out his hand. “One last dance.”

I kick off my heels and clasp my hands behind his neck.

“This was amazing.”

“You’re amazing.” He kisses the end of my nose and his wide palm settles on my low back.

“You love me.”

“More than anything else in the world,” he agrees.

“I love you,” I whisper.

“I’ll never get tired of hearing those words.” His lips meet mine.

Falling for Dallas, being loved by him, has been surreal. The changes in the Terror office have been for the better, and the new additions to our team have been mostly positive, Connor aside. He’s my new PR project.

But Dallas is such a rock and the best partner I could ask for. “I can’t imagine my life without you.”

“Me neither. Loving you is my favorite thing in the world.”

It’s humbling to be loved with such ferocity. To be revered and adored, and I feel the same way about him. I’m just as obsessed with Dallas as he is with me. “I’m ready,” I blurt.

His eyes light up.

“Ask me again,” I whisper.

We’re surrounded by the people we love—our families, our friends, our support system. “I’m happier than I’ve ever been, Dallas. Because of you. You’re my favorite everything.”

His expression shifts, and his smile softens, and then he drops to one knee. Like he’s been waiting for this moment.

Because he has. Patiently.

He fishes the velvet box out of his breast pocket.

My fingers go to my lips as the music stops. “Have you been carrying that around all night?”

“I’ve been carrying it around for months, Wills. I wanted to be ready when you were.”

“Oh blessed day! Is he doing what I think he’s doing?” Granny Bright yells at Dallas’s dad.

“Yeah, Mom, he is.”

“That’s why you’re my favorite, Dallas. Manning, Ferris, take some notes,” Granny Bright calls out.

“You too, Sam and Isaac,” Mom mutters as she straightens her dupatta over her shoulder.

“Everyone good now? I can proceed?” Dallas asks.

Apologies are murmured, and a hush falls over our friends and family.

But we’re both grinning, because as ridiculous as it is, it’s also perfect.

He flips open the box. “Wilhelmina Reddi-Grinst, I have loved you every moment of every day since you kicked everyone’s ass in debate in third grade. You have my heart and soul, and it would be an incredible honor to love you for the rest of our lives. I want you to be the mother of our children. I want to cherish every single sunrise and sunset with you. I want to call you my wife and grow old with you. Make me the happiest man alive. Marry me.”

---