Page 146 of Problematic Summer Romance

“Do you want it to work?”

“Listen, this is not…” He runs a hand over his hair, surprisingly conflicted. “I was in Montreal, walking around, and I saw a ring that I thought you might like, but you don’t have to…”

It’s all I can do not to laugh in his face. “You seem nervous, Conor.”

“I am.”

“Were you this nervous with Minami?”

“No.”

“You thought she’d say yes, huh?”

His shrug is simple. “I knew I could survive her no.” There is something about the way he says it, the implications, what’s hidden between the words, that…

My eyes burn. And Conor must notice the shine in them, because he kneels in front of me. “Look, you don’t have to say that you’ll marry me. You’re going through lots of changes, and I’m going to have to do the same. The ring, it can just mean…It can just be a reminder for you that I love you. ThatIwant to marry you. That I’m a constant, never-ending yes. And that whenever you’re ready, in two years or in twenty, I’m here. In the meantime, we can be more…casual, and…”

My laugh is watery. “You’re the least casual person I know.”

“Yeah, well. That is, unfortunately, true.”

I hold my hand out to him. Watch the unique, vintage ring in his palm, the pearl and diamonds set against the rose gold metal, and—of course, he would find the perfect ring. This asshole.

“You once said, a year ago, that I put Minami on a pedestal. Do you remember that?”

I nod.

“You’re right. Not just her—everyone else, I was always able toputthem places. Out of sight, out of mind. But with you…I have to follow your lead.” He looks the opposite of resigned. Like I’m the most calamitous accident to have befallen him, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. “I can’t arrange you to my liking. It’s brutal. It’s terrifying. But I no longer care to live without this, so—”

“Conor?” I cup his face.

“Yeah?”

I let myself smile. “You haven’t even asked me the question yet.”

A short while later, I fall asleep with his ring on myfinger.

---