Page 129 of From Us, Forever

“Permission,” he affirmed with a knowing smile on his face as he tipped his head at the sky.

The dark gray clouds crashed as lightning lit up the sky followed by the roar of the thunder. “For what?” I mumbled, watching as a fat drop of rain landed on his cheek.

“I think that’s permission granted.” His grin widened as he dragged his longing gaze to my browns. “This,” he whispered softly as he nudged my lap.

Confusion still marred me as I averted my gaze, twisting to my front.

And I froze, wide-eyed at the sight in front of me.

His lips brushed my ears as he leaned in. “Will you marry me, Evelyn?”

I swallowed as a shudder wrecked through my body, and tears trickled down my cheeks as the edges of my vision blurred. So many indescribable emotions flooded my heart, making me feel like I was flying yet nose-diving off a cliff at the same time. “Are you not going to say something poetic, like in the movies?” I whispered, still shell-shocked over his question.

“I don’t have to.” He gently tugged the huge diamond ring from the box. “You already know. So what’s the answer? Yes or no?”

He was right. There was nothing he had to say. I just knew.How much he loved me.

“So?” He hooked a finger under my chin, pulling my eyes to his.

A watery smile spread across my lips as I nodded. Resting my forehead on his, I leaned in. “A thousand times yes, Jay.” My words brushed across his lips.

“Good.” He smiled, sliding the ring on my finger. And I hardly got a moment to appreciate it because the skies burst open, and at the same time, Jay consumed me in a sweet, deep kiss, caressing and teasing my mouth as the rain poured on us.

“I love you,” I breathed as we parted.

“I love you more.” He kissed me once more before he lifted me off the ground. “Come on, let’s go,” he screamed over the rain.

“Okay,” I screamed back as he ran toward the car. “Wait. Go back, I have to tell Auntie M.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He chuckled, gripping me tighter as he ran back.

“Auntie M,” I shouted, waving my left hand in the air. “I just got engaged. I’M GOING TO BE MARRIED!”

He chuckled harder.

I bid one last goodbye to her and glanced back at him.

My hands cradled his cheek while he peered at me with so much love. “We can go now.”

He was still chuckling when he sprinted toward the car, and the rain only intensified by the second.

I was shivering by the time he dropped me in the passenger seat and watched as he scrambled over to the other side.

The sound of the loud rain filled the car when he opened the door and dove in, shutting the door behind him, and the quiet ensued.

My teeth chattered as I folded my arms, trying to draw some warmth.

“Come here,” he mumbled, and in one effortless move, he lifted me off the seat and draped me over him, adjusting the heat to us.

A sigh of relief escaped my lips when the heat blasted over my skin, immediately warming me. I leaned my head against his shoulder as I sank into him deeper.

He reclined the car seat farther as we got comfortable.

It took me a second to realize that I didn’t even get a good look at my ring.

When I snapped my gaze to my left hand, my eyes rounded at the size of the diamond staring at me. It was so big but also elegant and classy at the same time. I had no idea what the cut was, but it was rectangular in shape and set in a thin infinity band. Even in this dull lighting, the light pink hue was visible and sparkling.

“It’s so beautiful, but it’s so big.” My panicked eyes sliced at him. “What if I lose it?”

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