Page 21 of Neighbor DADDY

The worker takes it, nods, and disappears into the back. A minute later, he returns with a small box. The ring is inside, sitting on a little white cushion. I stare at it for a long moment before taking the box and tucking it into my pocket.

"You've got the ring," Mrs. Blevins says, grinning and clapping her hands. "Now all you've got to do is ask her. When are you going to do it?"

"I was thinking I'd rent a boat and take her out tonight. It's going to be a full moon and clear skies."

"Nonsense! That's not how you ask a woman to marry you. You need a romantic starlit evening, candles, and wine, and then you do it at the end of the night."

"Mrs. Blevins, we live in Georgia. It's a million degrees out. An outdoor candlelit dinner isn't going to work."

"Well, hm. All right, you do the boat thing. I suppose that sounds romantic enough." She gives me a stern look. "But don't get cold feet. That girl is special."

"I know," I tell her solemnly.

Mrs. Blevins smiles, clearly pleased with herself. "I'm going to make a call to the other ladies to tell them the news.”

"After the proposal," I say sternly, and she grins.

"Of course, dear. Just make it quick. My patience isn't what it used to be."

Kelly isa vision in a yellow sundress, but she's unsure as she climbs on the boat I've rented, gripping my arm so hard her knuckles are white.

"I'm not sure about this," she says, looking at the water.

I wrap an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. "It'll be fine, sweetheart. I'm a strong swimmer, and if you start to fall overboard, I'll save you."

"Not helping!"

I laugh. Normally I'd let her bail on the date and just take her home to spend time together, but I've only had the ring for a handful of hours and it's already burning a damn hole in my pocket. Every time I move, I can feel it there, ready to change the entire course of the rest of my life.

I'm not nervous. In fact, I can't fucking wait. Kelly is the only person for me, the one I want by my side forever.

I don't take her out too far, just far enough that the lights of the marina fade and we can see all the stars above us. The moon is heavy and bright, and Kelly starts to relax as I open a bottle of champagne, passing her a glass. I prefer whiskey, but it didn't seem like the best choice for a proposal.

"This is nice," Kelly says, taking a sip of her champagne. "I thought I'd be terrified being out here, but it's actually kind of peaceful."

"See? I told you everything would be okay."

She smiles, and I set aside my own glass to pull out the box from my pocket. Kelly is staring up at the sky, so she doesn't notice until I'm down on one knee.

"What..." Her eyes widen, and her mouth drops open.

"Kelly," I say, taking her hand, "from the moment I saw you, I knew you were mine. You came here for a reason, and that reason was to be mine. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Kelly. You're it for me."

I open the box, and she lets out a little gasp. The gem catches the light of the full moon, making it sparkle and shine.

"Will you marry me?" I ask, looking up into her beautiful eyes.

Tears fill them, and her chin trembles. "Cam, are you sure?"

"I've never been more sure about anything in my life, Kelly. You're the one I want by my side through everything. Please."

She nods, a single tear trailing down her cheek. "Yes. Of course, I will!"

I stand up, pulling her into my arms. She's shaking, but she's smiling, too, and I lift her into the air, kissing her deeply. She giggles against my mouth, wrapping her legs around my waist and her arms around my neck.

"I love you," I whisper, brushing our noses together.

"I love you, too, baby."

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