Page 126 of Keep This Promise
Oh Lord. Oh Lord. My lungs hurt for a completely different reason as I stare at the box that Ithinkcontains a ring.
Holden opens it, and tucked in the maroon velvet is a stunning round diamond, throwing rainbows around the room.
“Holden . . .” I can’t say anything as my hand covers my lips.
“I changed for the better, Sophie. Our relationship changed into something I never knew was possible. We’ve both been married before, but it was to the wrong people, at the wrong time. You are my right time. You’re my right person. You’re my world, and I want to walk beside you every day for the rest of my life. I want to raise Eden with you, and maybe we’ll have more, but as long as I have you, none of that matters.”
“It’s so soon,” I say, looking at him through watery eyes.
“No, love, it’s been too long that we’ve lived without each other. I’m asking you, Sophie Elizabeth Armstrong, will you be my wife?”
Tears fall, and emotions overwhelm me. “Yes,” I manage to get out the only word that matters. He cups my face, kissing me so lovingly it makes more tears fall. “I love you.”
“I promise that I am going to make you so happy.”
He takes the ring from the box and slips it onto my finger.
“You already do.”
* * *
“Oh my God! You’re engaged!” Brielle squeals as she takes my hand in hers.
“I am! I can’t believe it.”
It’s been two weeks since he asked me to marry him, and I still can’t quite believe it’s real. When we told Eden, she screamed in delight and asked if she could wear a dress, which of course, we said she absolutely could.
Mama James cried and hugged us both before launching into her demands for a proper wedding.
Blakely laughs. “Holden fell in love with you the moment he saw you, it doesn’t surprise me at all. Congratulations, my friend.”
“Thank you. How long do you think we’ll have to wait before he’s out of court?”
Blakely checks her phone, and Brie huffs. “You’re not going to know anything for a while. Holden is most likely still testifying.”
“He’s the last witness before they rest. The prosecution had an amazing case, not sure why the defense recalled Holden.”
Brie raises her hand. “They must’ve thought they could show something medically that will undermine his previous testimony. Either way, checking your phone won’t make a difference.”
“You say that, but that man wanted to kill me. He put a hit on my husband, held me captive, and worked for a sociopath! I need this to be over, Brie. I need to move the hell on with life and not have this dangling over my head.”
I take Blakely’s hand and squeeze. “I’m sure we’ll hear something soon.”
She nods and then turns to Brie. “I’m sorry.”
“No, I’m sorry. I think it’s a lot of me telling myself the same thing. I think about it and worry, but I . . . can’t. It’ll drive me nuts.”
I know that feeling. “Then let’s focus on anything else.”
“Yes, like your wedding!” Brie says. “We need a dress, a date, a venue, food plans. Do you guys want a DJ? I loved the guy we had for our wedding.”
“We haven’t gotten that far,” I stop her, feeling a bit overwhelmed.
Blakely laughs. “She’s the worst with this. I’m warning you now, if you’ve heard of Bridezilla, you haven’t met Bridesmaidzilla. That’s Brielle.”
Brielle slaps Blakely’s arm. “Hey, that’s not nice. Your vow renewal celebration was perfect. You’re welcome very much.”
Blakely looks to me with wide eyes. “It was torture,” she whispers.
