Page 47 of Ice Melts

Maybe Italy wasn’t just about her best friend finding love.

Maybe something exciting could happen for her too.

Travis led Sarah toward a quiet overlook, where the entire valley stretched before them in an endless sea of green and gold. The sun had begun its descent, casting long shadows across the landscape.

Sarah sighed, leaning on the stone railing. “It’s so beautiful.”

Travis didn’t respond right away. He was too busy memorizing the way the light danced across her face, the way her eyes softened when she was completely at peace.

After a moment, she turned to him, tilting her head. “What?”

He swallowed, suddenly feeling like all the words he’d prepared were stuck in his throat.

But then Sarah smiled, the kind of smile that had always undone him.

And he knew exactly what to say.

“I love you,” he said simply.

Her smile widened. “I love you too.”

His heart pounded as he reached into his pocket, fingers brushing over the small velvet box. His grip tightened around it, and then, before he could overthink it, he lowered himself onto one knee.

Sarah’s smile grew to fill her face. Tears filled her eyes.

Travis smiled up at her, his own heart racing. “Sarah Cooper, I’ve been in love with you for as long as I can remember. Before I even knew what love really was, you were already it for me.You’re my best friend, my partner, my favorite person in the world. And I want to spend forever proving that to you.”

He opened the box, revealing a simple but elegant diamond ring. “So… what do you say? Will you marry me?”

Sarah let out a breathless laugh, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

Then she nodded. “Yes. Yes!”

Travis barely had time to stand before she threw herself into his arms, kissing him like she’d never let him go as he lifted her off the ground. Laughter bubbled between them as he spun her around, the ancient city their witness.

When he finally set her down, she cupped his face in her hands. “I can’t believe you just proposed to me in Italy,” she whispered, grinning.

“Seemed fitting,” he murmured. “Besides, I figured we’d start forever in the most beautiful place I could find.”

She laughed, slipping the ring onto her finger. “It’s perfect.”

“You’re perfect,” he corrected, brushing a stray tear from her cheek.

They stood there for a long time, wrapped in each other, as the sun dipped below the horizon.

Later, as they walked toward the café where Tatum was waiting, they found her sitting at a small outdoor table, deep in conversation with an attractive Italian man.

Travis exchanged a glance with Sarah, who smirked.

“Didn’t take her long,” Sarah whispered.

Travis chuckled. “Guess Italy’s working its magic on all of us.”

As they approached, Tatum looked up, her eyes glinting. “Took you long enough. Did you guys finally?—”

Sarah held up her hand, the ring catching the last rays of sunlight.

Tatum’s jaw dropped. “NO WAY.”

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