Page 72 of Peaches and Cream
“Yes,” she said without hesitation. “Yes, yes, yes.” She leaned down, took Sabrina’s face in both hands, and kissed her, and part of her worried that her heart might burst from so much joy. From this much love. She pulled back slightly so she could look in Sabrina’s beautiful blue eyes. “I was literally just standing here before you came, trying to figure out what I’d done in some other life to deserve what I have in this one. You are everything I’ve ever hoped for but never thought I could have. I am the luckiest woman on the planet, and I love you more than you’ll ever know.”
Lips met again, they kissed softly, and then Sabrina stood. She took the ring out of the box and grasped Adley’s hand. “I can’t wait tobe your wife,” she said as she slid the ring onto Adley’s finger. “I love you,” she whispered, and just as their lips were about to meet again, there was a shockingly loud pounding on the back door.
“Can we come in yet?” Scottie’s voice rang through the air. “It’s freaking freezing out here!”
Adley looked at Sabrina in surprise.
“Yeah, I brought a few friends,” Sabrina said as she pushed the door open and shouted, “She said yes!” into the back parking lot.
And suddenly, a flood of people—an actual wave—flowed into the kitchen from the back lot. Scottie threw her arms around Adley before she could even say anything, and then she was grabbing Adley’s hand and holding it up for Marisa to see.
“See? I knew it would look perfect on her,” Scottie said to her girlfriend. To Adley, she explained, “I helped Sabrina pick it out.” And then Adley was enveloped in another hug. “I’m so happy for you, Ad,” Scottie said softly in her ear. And this time, when she pulled back, her eyes shimmered.
Then Marisa hugged her and told her the same thing, and then it was an endless line of hugs and congratulations. Teagan and Kyra were there—how and when they’d arrived from Atlanta, Adley had no idea. And her parents. And Brody and Nathan, her sister still carrying that shadow of sadness that Adley worried had become permanent. But she hugged Adley tightly and kissed her cheek and brushed her hair behind her ear, and her love was clearly written on her face. Mandy was next, as were the rest of the Second Scoop employees, and then there was a loud pop, followed by another, and suddenly champagne was being poured.
It was crazy and busy and loud and happy, and Adley felt like she was floating on a cloud. A rhythmic tinging sounded, and Adley’s gaze landed across the kitchen where Sabrina was standing on a chair, asking for everybody’s attention. When the hum of a dozen conversations died down, she smiled that smile, and Adley felt her heart swell with the love she had for this woman.
“Thank you all so much for coming today. It means so much to me, the support you’ve given me as I put this plan together.” She locked eyes with Adley. “You are so loved, baby. You have no idea. Everybody here knew I was proposing today, and they all dropped whatever plans they had to come celebrate with us. A year and a half ago was my firsttrip to Northwood. I fell in love with the city immediately, but I was here for work. I had no idea what was in store for me or that less than two years later, I’d be down on one knee, asking the love of my life to be with me forever. Life is funny like that. I’m not a person who’s at all experienced at following my heart, but I’m so glad I did this one time because it led me to you.” She held up her plastic cup of champagne. “To my beautiful bride to be, I can’t wait to be your wife. I love you, Adley.”
“Hear, hear!” somebody shouted. Cups were raised in salute as Adley felt the tears that had been threatening finally spill over and track down her cheeks. Scottie had an arm around her and gave her a squeeze and then there was Sabrina, moving through the throng of people until she was standing in front of her. She lifted her plastic cup, the smile on her face glowing with joy.
Adley touched her cup with her own and wondered if anyone had ever been as happy as she was in the moment. She couldn’t speak. She tried, but the lump in her throat was preventing words, but Sabrina seemed to get it because she simply nodded and whispered, “I know, baby. I know.”
And then they were side by side, the way they’d face the rest of life. Leaning against each other, surveying their business and their loved ones, and Adley had a flash-forward of toddlers running around, then kids, then teenagers, and she knew this was it.
She turned to Sabrina, who looked up at her with such love and adoration, it made Adley’s chest ache in the best of ways.I love you, she mouthed, and Sabrina’s smile grew.
This was her life.
This was her love.
This was exactly where she was supposed to be.
This was home.
