Page 122 of In the Long Run
‘You’ve never looked more beautiful.’
Gen’s smile is adorably shy and I know – I just do – that this was the right decision.We’re not strangers to a finish-line kiss, but sharing something like a proposal with strangers didn’t feel right to me.Not that we share much of anything online anymore.Our days of appearing on TikTok are long over.
‘I don’t have a big speech prepared,’ I say, reaching for Gen’s left hand and linking our fingers together.‘I didn’t think you’d want anything super fancy or showy.’
Her bottom lip wobbles and I press my thumb against it, steadying her.Just like I’ll do for the rest of our lives.
‘I wanted to ask you this in a place that was special to us and with the people who have cheered us on and held us up when we needed it.’
A tear slips down Gen’s cheek and I wipe it away.
‘You’re the best of everything, Gen.Of every moment.Of every day.Of every dream.Of every wish.And I would be so honoured—’ I pause and drop to one knee, unzipping the chest pocket of my running vest and pulling out the sapphire ring that Eugene gave Alizée once upon a time—‘if you would be my wife.’
Gen bites her lip and nods profusely.
‘That a yes, Halliday?’
‘Yes.’The word’s barely a whisper, but it’s like a cannon blast to my ears.
Gen yanks me to my feet and wraps her arms around my neck.‘I love you so much,’ she says before sealing her mouth over mine in the sort of kiss we usually keep for the bedroom.It feels endless, a swirling, heady mix of promises and love and heat.It’s an effort to remember that we have an audience.
‘Show her the ring properly!’Celeste calls, breaking the moment and reminding me that I’m still holding it.
‘Can I?’I ask Gen, uncurling her fingers from where they clutch at my running vest.
‘Please.’
Slowly, I slide the bezel-set sapphire onto her ring finger.It fits perfectly, and I’ll have to thank Meredith again later for helping me figure out Gen’s ring size.
‘It’s beautiful.’Gen holds her hand out and admires it.She didn’t give me a lot of instructions other than preferring something simple, ideally a single stone.She didn’t care if it was a diamond or not.
‘It was Alizée’s,’ I say, swallowing hard to try to dislodge the lump of emotion that appears in my throat.‘Eugene insisted.Said he wanted it to stay in the family.’
Gen lifts her hand to my face and cups my cheek.Her palm is cool against my skin.‘It’s perfect.So was the proposal.It was exactly what I wanted.You and all my favourite people in one of my favourite places.’
‘Can we come over there yet?’Celeste calls, and Gen laughs into my chest.
‘Yes!’Gen does a cute-as-fuck excited wiggle in my arms that she needs to stop doing right now unless she wants my running shorts to betray us both.I can’t wait to make myfiancéeeven happier later once we’re alone.
‘Please stop,’ I murmur into her hair.
‘This working for you?’she whispers back, her eyes so fucking bright.
‘It’s well established that everything you do works for me.’
Gen squeezes my hands and spins around so she’s in front of me.
Yeti’s the first to reach us.‘Told you he had all the moves, didn’t I?’he says to Gen while slapping my shoulder.‘Congrats, guys.’
Celeste pushes him out of the way, laughing when he fake stumbles to the left.She passes Opera to me, and the puppy licks my neck.‘I’m so happy for you both.’
‘Thank you.’Gen beams.
‘And Caleb and I will be making your wedding cake.Don’t get any other ideas, okay?’
As if we ever would.
‘It’s a deal,’ I say.
