Page 169 of Here and Now
“I’d love that.”
“Great. Talk soon!”
She hangs up and I send a text to Miles that I’m on my way, but he doesn’t reply.
Strange.
He might be at the rink, though. It’s Thursday, and they always do that. He did say before I left that he had to work and couldn’t do their usual plan.
I finish the rest of the drive, bopping in the car, singing to some of my favorite songs, not caring that I look ridiculous as I pass people on the highway. Nothing can top this mood.
I pull into the driveway, and Miles’s truck is there, but I never got a text back. Oh, well, I can tell him face-to-face.
“I got the job!” I yell as I walk in the house. Only I’m met with silence. “Hello? Boys?”
What the heck?
I walk into the kitchen, no sign of them. “Miles? Kai?”
My heart starts to race and anxiety fills me.
“Miles! Kai!” I scream again. They’re probably playing a video game with those headphones on.
Then I hear a tapping on the window outside. “Mom!”
I jump, my hand flying to my chest, and I let out a breath.
Kai runs off, and I take it that I should go out there since no one is coming in.
After I get my heart under control, I head to the back door and slide it open.
As soon as I do, my chest is tight for a whole other reason.
There is the potted tree and a hole that’s surrounded by candles. Beside it stand both Miles and Kai, dressed in slacks and matching shirts.
“What’s all this?” I ask, stepping deeper into the yard.
Miles walks forward. “I asked you to plant this tree and let the roots grow, but you weren’t ready then, were you?”
I shake my head. “Not really.”
“Are you ready now?”
I smile and look over at Kai, who is grinning. “I am.”
“Then I think we should plant the tree and let it grow together.” Miles winks and then drops to his knee.
Oh God. He’s proposing. Now.
Even though he’s done this already and I’ve said yes, I’ve beenhoping this would come soon. Between his finger and thumb is the ring that comes out only when he needs to be reminded that I’m with him—always.
He explained that he was going to approach it with Kai soon, and I agreed that it was time. I just didn’t know it would be today.
Miles takes my hand in his. “Penelope Miller, my life was just fine before I met you. I had a great job, home, friends, and was a world-renowned Ultimate Frisbee player.” I laugh and then suck in a breath as my tears come. “I thought I had it all. I thought I knew what true contentment felt like, and then you came into my life. That’s when I realized that I had nothing. All of those things were menial without someone to share it with. From the first day I met you, trying to lace up hockey skates and refusing to believe we were dating, the storm, our first date, to when I came to find you, I knew that you were the only person in this world I would want beside me.” He kisses the top of my hand, and then I sink to my knees with him. “You are my here, my now, my forever. Marry me?”
I look over at Kai, who is grinning so wide, and he has a sign in his hand that readsSay yes.
I laugh through my tears and nod quickly. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
