Page 77 of One Pucking Destiny

“Oh, wow,” I say awkwardly with a chuckle. “All the tropes then.”

“All the best ones.” She winks as she reaches over the counter, handing me a blue hardcover. The title,Believe in Destiny, is written with gold lettering, and no author's name is written.

I open my mouth to protest, admitting there must be some mistake as I flip through the blank pages. My question morphs into a gasp when I see the square cut out of the center of the book—and tied inside the hollow cube with a ribbon is a stunning diamond ring.

Tears spring to my eyes as they dart toward the woman behind the counter. She’s smiling so big and nods behind me.

I turn to find Bash on one knee. “What?” I shriek, dropping the book as my hands fly to my mouth.

Bash catches the book and unties the ring. Settingthe book on the floor to his side, he holds the beautiful ring up toward me. “Ariana, I knew from the second my hand touched yours here in this bookstore ten months ago that you were someone special, someone I could never forget. Everything about our relationship has been all over the place, yet at the same time, everything happened exactly as it was always meant to. I know that we haven’t been official too long, but there is no question in my mind that you’re my forever. You are everything I’ve ever dreamed of and more. You are my perfect partner, the love of my life, and I don’t want to wait another minute to start our forever. Will you marry me?”

A torrent of tears stream down my face. I blink to clear them so I can see this beautiful man on his knees before me. I nod. “Yes. This is completely insane, but yes!”

Even through all the tears, I can’t miss the joy that radiates from Bash and his dazzling smile. As he slides the ring on my finger, he looks like the happiest man in the world.

He stands, wraps his arms around me, and spins me in a circle as I hug him tight, squealing with joy.

“You’re crazy,” I finally say, kissing him repeatedly.

“Crazy in love with you.”

“And I’m crazy in love with you back.”

He sets me down but doesn’t let me go as our mouths continue to celebrate our engagement.

The woman behind the counter, the books, and the world around us fade away until it’s just the two of us in this existence we share. I kiss Bash with everything I have. This man owns my heart. As our mouths move and our tongues dance, my soul fills with a completeness I’ve never known. My body hums with warmth, knowing that I will be cherished by Bash for the rest of my life.

After a while, I pull away and press my cheek to his chest, hugging him tight. “Great proposal by the way. I actually thought I’d forgotten I’d ordered a book.”

“I’m glad you like it.” He kisses the top of my head.

“And the tropes.” I chuckle.

“Yeah, Hattie gave me that idea.” He pulls away and calls his sister’s name over his shoulder.

I see Hattie standing behind a bookshelf with her cell phone, obviously filming. I’m happy that we have a video of the proposal. I can’t wait to show my mom.

Hattie hurries out from behind the bookcase and runs over to us. She wraps us both in a hug. “That was the cutest! Congratulations!”

“Thanks.”

She asks to see my ring, and I extend my hand out. I think all three of us admire how beautiful it looks onmy finger. I’m not surprised the ring is perfection since everything Bash does is.

We thank the bookstore employee, and she asks to get a picture with Bash. She’s apparently a big fan.

We say our goodbyes, and I walk out of the bookstore hand in hand with my fiancé.

“We should grab dinner at the Mexican restaurant. I’d kill for a mega chimi right now,” Hattie says.

I know what restaurant they’re talking about. It’s a local favorite. I haven’t been there since I met Beckett and my mom there and learned of their relationship a year ago.

“Have you had their mega chimichanga?” Hattie asks as we make our way to the parking lot.

“I have not, but everything I’ve ordered there has been fantastic,” I say.

“Twinnie and I are obsessed with the white cheese sauce that’s smothered all over their chimichangas. Oh, this is going to be so fun.” Hattie claps her hands together. “We can order a pitcher of margaritas and start the wedding planning. There’s so much to go over.”

Bash shrugs, a grin on his face.

---