Page 128 of Third Time Lucky

We’re headed to the Neon Boneyard, usually open to the public this time of year, but Mitzi and Paul have reserved it tonight for a party of six. Really, it’s the backdrop of the beginning of the rest of Lucy and my life. I hope.

The closer we get, the more nervous I become. I’ve never been this anxious, actually. Except when visiting Paul at his office and feeling like he was prosecutingmeas I asked to do this. I knew it was important to Lucy, and this time, he didn’t even threaten me like he did Brandon. Mostly because I’m not a demon in disguise, but also because there is no question, I love his daughter with everything in me.

We arrive at the site, where vintage neon signs cast a colorful glow over the night. As we walk in, we’re greeted by Aaron and Madi dancing under the flickering lights of a giant martini glass sign as Elvis serenades them with a classic love song.

Lucy’s eyes light up at the scene before us, and she squeezes my hand excitedly. ‘This is amazing,’ she whispers, leaning in close as we watch our friends celebrate their love.

It doesn’t take long for Mitzi to be twirling on Elvis’ hand with a glass of champagne in hers, her infectious laughter filling the air.

‘Want to look around?’ I ask, motioning to the paths through the glowing discarded signs.

Aaron and Madi came first because they were setting the stage. In front of the famous Stardust sign is a flower petal heart dotted with flickering candles waiting for us. There is also a photographer to capture every second because I know she’s not expecting this right now and she’s going to want to remember everything.

Truthfully, none of this was originally in my plan, but when I walked into the jeweler with Aaron to help pick out Madi’s ring a few weeks ago, one stood out above the rest, and it wasn’t meant for Madi. Like everything else about us, it seemed like it was meant to be.

‘How beautiful is this?’ Lucy asks as we walk through the signs. After a few minutes, she moves away from me with perfect timing, her phone in her hand, camera on, and the neon lights shining in her eyes.

I take the opportunity to round the corner without her and take a breath, waiting for her to find me.

‘Wait, Ash?’ she calls my name. ‘Where are y—Dad!? What areyoudoing he—’ Her words stop, and I know things are getting real because Paul just stepped into his part of the plan.

Her voice fades, and around another corner comes Madi, Aaron and Mitzi, all ready with confetti poppers to celebrate what hopefully is a giant ‘yes’ to the question I’m about to ask.

‘You nervous?’ Aaron asks under his breath, pulling the ring from his inside jacket pocket and setting it in my hand.

I grip the box tightly. ‘Incredibly so.’

‘Why? She’s saying yes,’ Madi says, smoothing down the veil now thrown back over her hair. ‘No question about that.’

‘I know. Just the option of no is squeezing my heart like someone’s trying to tie a knot in it.’

Breathe, Ash. You know she loves you, and all she’s ever wanted in life is to have this moment with the right man, and you are him. She’ll say yes.

God. She has to say yes, or my entire world will screech to a halt.

‘Holy—’ Her words stop again when she rounds the corner, her hand in her father’s as they walk my way.

She doesn’t see me until I take a step forward from the edge of the sign, my heart pounding in my chest. She looks at me, then Paul, then back to me, her eyes filled with a whirlwind of emotions. I can see the moment she realizes what is happening.

A tear escapes down her cheek as she nods slightly, already answering the question I’ve yet to ask, unable to form the words that I know are swimming in her mind, while I drop down to one knee. I’ll get on both knees if I must – that’s how much I love this woman.

‘Lucy,’ I begin, my voice barely above a whisper yet echoing in the silent night around us. ‘From the moment I met you for the third time, my life has been brighter, more vibrant… more complete. Every memory that ties us together is worth it right now. And I want a million more moments with you, so what do you think of maybe spending the rest of your life with me?’

For a second, time stands still as Lucy stares at me, her hand flying up to cover her mouth in shock. The world fades away until all that exists is the two of us in this neon-lit haven of discarded memories and new beginnings.

‘Marry me?’ I ask, my heart finally slowing from the race it was on as I see the word ‘yes’ all over her face.

With tears streaming down her face and a radiant smile breaking through, she nods vigorously. ‘Yes! You crazy, amazing man,’ she says, dropping to her knees in front of me and throwing her arms around my neck, nearly knocking me over.

Pops from the confetti poppers startle her, causing her to pull away, sitting back on her knees. Her gaze lands on the ring still gripped tightly in my hand.

‘Oh my God, it’s gorgeous,’ she says, her eyes locking with mine.

‘A gorgeous ring for a gorgeous girl,’ I say, pulling the it from the box.

I’ve never seen her happier as she allows me to slide the ring on her finger.

She holds her hand in front of her, not even noticing our friends around us. ‘This is beautiful. You’re beautiful!’ she exclaims.

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