Page 160 of Friends Don't Kiss

KiaraHarper.

Colton’s hand falls on my shoulder, bringing me to him. He says nothing as we both look at the delivery van painted in my colors with legs that are probably supposed to represent me (they do, after all, feature fishnet stockings). The wedding cake is teetering, my legs unstable on high heels, puffs of snow completing the picture. The throwback to the day my car wouldn't start and I hauled my pastries into Colton's car is clear.

Except there’s a diamond ring shining bright on top of the cake.

And at the top, my first name and his last name.

My throat tight, I ask, “Is that the day you fell for me?”

He wraps both his arms around me. “No. It’s the day I realized I’d loved you all along.”

Before I can answer he’s on one knee in front of me, the keychain dangling in his fingers.

“Sweets, I was gonna prepare a whole speech, and maybe do something a little more organized around this moment, but then this morning you started talking about changing your name. Meanwhile I’m thinking, Kiara Harper has a niceringto it. Don’t ya think?”

Tears start pooling in my eyes. “Yes, it has a very nice ring to it.”

He lifts the keychain to me, and I glance toward the van, a smile stretching my mouth. My fantasy vehicle, a ring painted on it, and my new name? “Colt, that’s the most awesome proposal,” I say, drawing him up to me.

“You like it?”

“I love you.”

“Yes, but do you like the van?”

“I love it!”

He slides the side door open, revealing the interior setup, then hands me the keys. “Four-wheel drive, studded tires for now, new suspension, new brakes… new almost everything. Refrigeration. It’s got everything.”

I shove the keys in my pocket and pull him in for a deep kiss.

“Sweets,” he says when we come up for air.

“Mmh?”

“Show me the keys.”

I take them out of my pocket and let them dangle off my finger.

“I almost forgot,” he says, snatching them from me. The keychain jingles as he arranges it, until a solitaire shows between his fingers.

It’s the same ring as the one painted on the van.

My voice is tight, but I let the tears fall freely, just as I let Colton shower me with his love. “Colt, you didn’t have to.”

“No, I didn’t. But I wanted to.”

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Bella Rivers

Epilogue

“Sweetness,comehere.”Coltondoesn’t wait for me to move, probably doesn’t expect me to. In a few long strides, he’s at my back, his arms encircling me.

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