Page 26 of Hate You Forever

Finally, I turn to her and drop down to one knee. “Jade Karma Seymour, I’ve loved you since the first time I saw you. I’ve wanted to make you minesince the first word you ever said to me. You remember what that was?”

She laughs. “Get lost, you creep?”

I laugh and nod. “That’s right. You told me to get lost, and I knew right then that no other girl would do. You were beautiful and feisty, and you took my breath away. I know we haven’t been together for any time at all yet, but that doesn’t stop me from knowing the truth. You and me, we’re meant to be together for the rest of our lives. Now, we can wait an acceptable length of time, or we can get started on our future right now. What do you say?”

She smiles and nods. “I don’t want to wait another day. I want our future now.”

I can’t hold back the smile that spreads across my face. I stand up and pull her against me, kissing her hard, until I’m out of breath. “I swear, I’m going to buy you the most beautiful ring money can buy and then I’m going to buy this house and fix it up. This is our dream house, baby.”

She looks from me to the house and back. “If anyone can make this place a home, it’s you.”

I laugh. “She’s old, but she’s got good bones. I’ll put in an offer first thing Monday morning.”

She squeezes me tight, and I breathe her in, happy that I’ll never have to live another day without her in my arms.

After I take her back home, I go to the garage to put in my hours and tell Dad all about the day I’ve had.

“I’m going to put in an offer for that house over on Market Street,” I tell him as I print out an estimate to send over to someone’s insurance company.

“Market Street?” He pulls his brows together as he tries to think of which house. “You mean that rundown piece of crap?”

I laugh. “That’s the one. I’m going to rebuild it. I figure by the time that Jade and I start having kids, it should be done.”

“Kids, huh? Don’t you think you should get married first?”

“I asked her today. Now I just have to go ring shopping.”

He holds up his finger. “I might be able to help you with that.” He tosses down the shop towel in his hands and runs out of the office.

“Where are you going?”

“I’ll be right back,” he yells, running out the door.

I shake my head as I send the email and then pick up the next thing that needs done. It takes me twenty minutes to get everything filed since Dad insists on having a paper copy of everything. About the time I’m finishing up, Dad is back with a little black boxin his hand.

“This ring belonged to my mother. I would’ve given it to your mom, but my mother was still alive and wearing it when we got married. I asked your mom if she wanted it after her passing, and she didn’t. She was already too used to wearing the one I bought her, so this has just been sitting in a drawer for all these years. It’s yours if you want it,” he says, holding out the box.

I take it and inspect the ring inside. It’s rose gold in color and has one big diamond in the center with smaller diamonds surrounding it in a swirling pattern. I bet the diamond is every bit of two carats. This ring is far better than anything I could ever buy.

“Dad, this ring is amazing. How did Grandpa ever afford something like this?”

He chuckles. “My grandfather, your great grandfather, owned a jewelry store here in town. When dad decided he was ready to get married, he picked the best ring the store had. He paid what he could that day, and then he spent the next ten years working there on his days off from the mine to pay off that ring. A lot of blood, sweat, and tears went into that ring, so you better make sure that whoever you give it to is worth it, son.”

I look down at the ring and nod. “She’s worth it alright.”

“I think so too…especially if she took your sorry ass back after the shit you put her through,” he laughs out.

I roll my eyes and snap the box closed, sliding it into my pocket.

“When are you going to give it to her?”

I shrug as I sit behind the desk. “I already asked, but I want to do it again the right way. I need to plan something perfect. How did you ask mom?”

He laughs. “I asked her with a positive pregnancy test between us. Don’t wait as long as I did.” He turns for the door but pauses. “Just pick a place that holds special meaning for the two of you.”

“Special meaning? Like what?”

He shrugs. “A place you spent a lot of time. Recreate the date you took her on when you realized you loved her, something like that.”

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