Page 73 of Finally Home

“Well, if you give me a moment, you’ll find out.” Ollie smiles as he slowly takes the diamond ring off the hot dog.

I quickly shut my mouth, still in total shock that not only is he down on one knee, but he put a diamond ring on a hot dog. It seems the Elmhurst Wiener Bandit has struck again.

“I could spend hours telling you every reason I love you and every reason how you improved my life since you came into it. But kneeling in the road for hours and hours doesn’t sound all that comfortable on my knees.” I snort at his silly humor. “So instead, I’m going to ask you one thing. How about some coffee, or drinks, or dinner, or a movie…for as long as we both shall live?”

Another snort slips free. That definitely wasn’t the question I thought he was going to ask. “Did you really just quote a Tom Hanks movie in your proposal?”

Ollie shrugs. “I mean, I felt it was quite fitting since a few of his rom-coms had inspired our potential meet-cute stories. So what do you say, Holls? Will you marry me and spend forever living on the lam?”

The tears are freely falling down my face as I nod. It takes me a moment to find words, but eventually, a “yes” leaves my lips.

“Yes, I’ll marry you.”

Before I can even blink, Ollie is standing and whisking me into his arms and spinning us around. I’m slightly dizzy when he stops and threads his fingers into my hair, bringing our mouthstogether. My lips part, welcoming him to deepen the kiss. I’m completely breathless when we finally break apart.

Ollie brings my left hand up between us and slides the diamond ring on my finger.

“I can’t believe you put a fucking engagement ring on a hot dog,” I laugh in between tears. “What if someone had stolen it?”

Ollie cups my cheek and swipes the falling tears away with his thumb. “Well, in my defense, it’s illegal to go through someone else’s mailbox, not to mention it’s Elmhurst. Not a crazy amount of crime happening here and all.”

“Just the Bandit, wienerizing his own mailbox.”

Ollie laughs with me as he scoops me into his arms. “Yeah, well, he’s also about to wienerize his fiancée before I have to go into work.”

I stare at my ring with a giant smile on my face as he rushes us up to the house.

Ollie guides me inside Tilley’s, and before the door even closes, everyone shouts, “Surprise!” A banner hangs over the bar with big, bold letters that read “Congratulations.”

I jump and gasp as I take in the room full of our friends, Tilley’s regulars, and family. Not my family, of course, or, well, the family I was born into. Just like Ollie taught me, family is more than blood. The Mosbys became my family. I haven’t actually spoken with my family since the weekend of Topher’s engagement party. I don’t regret the decision, and they clearlydidn’t put up much fight since none of them have ever tried to reach out.

Even Brynn, Cal, and Eva are in the crowd. After I left Willow Creek, Brynn and I kept in touch and became good friends.

Payton is the first to run over and hug us.

“Oh my God, you dirty liar. You told me you were busy this weekend.”

“I am,” she smirks. “I just left out that I was going to be busy here celebrating my new sister-in-law. Eek, we’re officially going to be sisters. Welcome to the Mosby chaos. Now, let me see that rock.” Pay grabs my hand with such force she pulls me forward. Ollie helps steady me with his hands on my biceps. “Hot damn, bro, that’s some big fucking rock!”

He did good. I can’t believe he picked this ring out by himself. It’s stunning.

“So, how did he do it? He was pretty hush hush about it all.” Pay glares at her brother.

“Hey, I’m allowed to keep my secrets.”

Payton just rolls her eyes. “No, you’re not.”

I share the story of this afternoon, knowing it won’t be the last time I tell the story today. Payton’s expression of shock is priceless when I tell her about the ring on a hot dog in the mailbox. If only I had my camera on me to forever capture that look.

“I just don’t get your obsession with the wiener bandit.”

“What’s not to be obsessed? It’s such a small-town quirk. Can’t say I’ve heard of a similar incident likeever.Haven’t you ever wondered who?”

She just shrugs. “I don’t know. Just figured it was some bored weirdo.”

Oh, girl, if you only knew.It’s so hard to keep a straight face, but at least I have the excuse of being engaged as to why I can’t stop smiling.

At some point in the evening, Ollie and I got separated. I’m pretty sure I’ve spoken to everyone in attendance. Brynn is currently telling me all about the new class they’re offering at Serenity Springs.

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