Page 71 of Loving London

I run my finger across the words with a smile on my face. I place the bag of candy in the basket and pick up the next bag, which happens to be a package of sweet-and-sour gummy worms.

FLAW #2: YOU’RE NOT THE MOST OUTDOORSY TYPE OF GIRL. I LOVE THIS FLAW BECAUSE I GET TO EXPERIENCE SO MANY FIRSTS WITH YOU. YOU DIDN’T THINK YOU LOVED TO BE OUTSIDE, BUT I THINK YOU’VE BEEN FINDING THAT YOU DO.

I put the bag in the basket. He’s right. He’s totally been turning me toward the dark side. I think I love it because Loïc does. Love does crazy things.

I grab the next package of Swedish Fish.

FLAW #3: YOU CAN BE WHINY. I LOVE THIS FLAW, AND ONLY GOD KNOWS WHY. I SHOULD HATE IT, BUT IT TURNS ME ON AND MAKES ME WANT YOU MORE. YOU’RE HOT, EVEN WHEN A SCREECHY SOUND COMES FROM YOU. GO FIGURE.

I laugh, putting the candy in the basket, and I pick up the next one.

FLAW #4: YOU CAN BE JEALOUS, BUT I LOVE THAT BECAUSE I KNOW YOU LOVE ME.

I think of the way I handled myself with Sarah at the birthday party. I’d say I’ve come a long way with my jealousy.

FLAW #5: YOU LOVE TO SHOP. I DON’T KNOW IF I’LL EVER LOVE THIS ONE, BUT I’LL GO WITH YOU BECAUSE I LOVE YOU.

I giggle. I’m a total pain when I shop. I don’t blame him. I put the gummy rings in the basket and pick up the next.

FLAW #6: YOU LOVE SNOOTY PARTIES. I LOVE THIS FLAW BECAUSE YOU LOOK AMAZING WHEN YOU’RE ALL DRESSED UP, AND LET’S NOT FORGET ABOUT THE CLOSET SEX.

What a great night that was. I smile at the memory and place the package in the basket.

FLAW #7: SOMETIMES, YOU HAVE NO TACT, AND YOU SAY EXACTLY WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND. I LOVE THIS BECAUSE YOU MAKE ME LAUGH.

The bags of candy continue.

FLAW #8: YOU WORRY WAY TOO MUCH ABOUT ME. I LOVE THAT YOU WORRY BECAUSE I KNOW THAT YOU CARE. NO ONE HAS EVER MADE ME FEEL MORE LOVED THAN YOU.

FLAW #9: YOU CAN BE NEEDY. YET I NEED YOU JUST AS MUCH, SO WE’RE ALL GOOD.

FLAW #10: YOU CAN’T COOK. I LOVE THAT YOU SUCK IN THE KITCHEN BECAUSE IT’S SOMETHING THAT I CAN DO FOR YOU.

FLAW #11: SOMETIMES, YOU ARE SCARED TO TRY NEW THINGS. MY FAVORITE PART OF OUR LIFE TOGETHER IS EXPERIENCING FIRSTS WITH YOU.

FLAW #12: YOU’RE TOO BEAUTIFUL. THE OTHER WOMEN OF THE WORLD CAN’T COMPETE. OKAY, YOU GOT ME; IT’S NOT A FLAW. I JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW HOW STUNNING I THINK YOU ARE, BOTH INSIDE AND OUT.

FLAW #13: YOU CAN BE OVERLY EMOTIONAL. I LOVE THIS BECAUSE IT JUST MEANS THAT YOU’RE PASSIONATE. YOU HAVE CONVICTIONS, AND YOU SEE THEM THROUGH. YOU MAKE ME SO PROUD EVERY DAY.

FLAW #14: YOU GREW UP PRIVILEGED. THIS ISN’T REALLY A FLAW BECAUSE WE DON’T CHOOSE HOW WE GROW UP. BUT I WANTED TO POINT IT OUT BECAUSE, ALTHOUGH YOU WERE GIVEN EVERYTHING, YOU STILL BECAME A WOMAN WHO LOVES THE PEOPLE IN HER LIFE WITH SO MUCH FEROCITY. OUR CHILDHOODS WERE POLAR OPPOSITES, AND MAYBE THAT’S WHY WE’RE PERFECT FOR EACH OTHER. THEY SAY OPPOSITES ATTRACT, AND THANK GOD THEY DO.

FLAW #15: YOUR HEART IS ONLY CAPABLE OF LOVING ME. YOU’RE LUCKY I HAVE THE SAME FLAW. I CAN ONLY LOVE YOU.

I pick up the final bag of gummy candy that sits in front of our bedroom door.

THE WORD FLAW HAS A NEGATIVE CONNOTATION, BUT I DON’T SEE IT THAT WAY. IF WE DIDN’T HAVE FLAWS, WE’D ALL BE THE SAME. OUR IMPERFECTIONS ARE WHAT MAKE US WHO WE ARE. WITHOUT ANY FLAWS, YOUR BASKET WOULD BE EMPTY. THERE’D BE NOTHING FOR ME TO HOLD ON TO, TO LOVE. BUT, AS IT TURNS OUT, MY FLAWED HEART LOVES YOU MORE THAN YOU MIGHT EVER KNOW.

COME INTO THE BEDROOM. I HAVE A QUESTION TO ASK YOU.

My lip trembles as I read his last note. I know what’s coming, and still, I’ve never been more nervous. The seconds right before my greatest dream comes true bring a moment of pause, so I can take it all in and be thankful. I pull in a few calming breaths as tears stream down my face.

And I open the door.

Loïc is standing in the middle of our bedroom. His beautiful face is lit by the glow of candlelight. I take a few steps until I’m right across from him. I set the basket down next to me as Loïc drops to one knee and holds up a stunning diamond ring.

I bring my hands to my mouth with a gasp.

“London, you are the most important person in my life. You know that I’ve been dealt a tough hand in the past, but being with you creates such happiness, a bright light that lights up the darkness until I can’t feel anything but love. You save me every single day. My flawed heart is capable of loving only you. I would love to spend this lifetime creating firsts with you, if you’ll have me. London Wright, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Will you marry me?”

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