Page 87 of Class Act

I stepped out of his arms and turned off my computer, packing my things as a hum of awareness moved through me. It was always this way when Ford was nearby. The year we’d known each other hadn’t dimmed it, and the more we worked on fitting our lives together, the more I realized that being with someone so opposite from me was the best thing that had ever happened to both of us.

We’d developed a comfortable push and pull, a balance of nights home at one of our houses and nights out attending events. Wherever we were, we were unified, and I’d grown better at expanding my social circle. Ford, for his part, had gotten better at being present in the moment. He was often in the kitchen or doing a puzzle with his children when I stopped by a few times a week. His gaze still took me in as it always did but gone were the shadows that he’d been running from.

I picked up the envelope with the invitation and waved it at him. “You’re getting pretty old, you know. Forty-one. Everyone will think you’ve robbed the cradle, dating someone as young as me.”

I started to move around him, but he snagged my arm and smiled down at me. “I think to be safe, you’d probably better marry me.”

I assumed he was teasing, even though it thrilled me to hear those words, and I laughed as I leaned closer. “Okay.”

But, before my mind could grasp what was happening, he was bending down to one knee, his hand diving into his suit pocket. I heard giggles behind me as Henry and Hillary appeared with balloons and a bouquet of those bright pink dahlias I’d once taken to Hillary’s dance recital.

I looked back at Ford. His face was as serious as I’d ever seen it, and his look of pure love and devotion caused tears to well in my eyes.

“Hailey, a year ago we met, and the second I laid eyes on you I knew you’d be someone important in my life.”

“Ford,” I whispered his name, reaching a hand toward him.

He took it and continued, “I love you, Hailey. You’ve healed me, you’ve healed my children, and you’ve brought so much happiness into our life. You make our family complete. Will you marry us?”

Ford opened the ring box, and Hillary and Henry stepped forward next to him, each holding out another item of jewelry. Hillary had a gold bracelet and Henry a gold necklace, both with a heart charm on them. I burst into tears and reached for all three of them, creating an awkward hug situation where Ford’s face was basically pressed into our stomachs as he was still on his knees.

“I love you all so much,” I cried.

Henry and Hillary solemnly gave me their jewelry items, each helping me put them on, and then it was just Ford, still kneeling there, so patiently waiting.

“Of course, I’ll marry you,” I said to him. “I love you more than anything in the world.”

He slid the ring onto my finger and stood, gathering me in his arms and holding me close. Only then could I feel the nerves running through him, and I pulled him closer.

“This is the kissing part,” Henry muttered. “Let’s go.”

Hillary followed as they left the room, but I only had eyes for Ford.

Henry had been right, after all. This was the kissing part.

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