Page 171 of Girls Will Be Girls
We walk for what feels like miles, the temperature changing from boiling hot to AC cold. Whenever I think I’m going to hear an announcement, Lou covers my ears and sings Dolly Parton’s ‘9 to 5’into them loudly.
It’s a shame I can’t see the looks on people’s faces as they watch this whole situation unfold. It’s not like Lou can retell it, he probably hasn’t even noticed anyone else.
I may be a now recovering people pleaser, but I’m still a human being who cares a normal amount, unlike him.
He stops us and places me in a very specific spot by my shoulders, adjusting me multiple times. “Okay, we’re here.”
“Finally.” I sigh dramatically, but in reality, I’m loving this.
He unties the blindfold and as my eyes adjust I notice that we’re in an airport.
We’re at JFK.
“What are we doing here?” I grin.
He presses a soft kiss to my lips. “You said I had to wait a year.” He grins. “It’s officially been a year.”
“Lou.”
He takes my hand in his and lowers onto one knee.
People continue to rush around us without even noticing the greatest moment of my life about to unfold.
I try to hold back the tears, but I can already feel the blubbering about to start.
“Being pre-engaged to you has been the greatest year of my life.” He says, eyes glassy. “I am so grateful that I took the wrong coffee order and poured it all over you that day.”
I laugh a watery laugh.
“This is the spot I first pretended you were my fiancée, and I’d like you to finally let me make that title a reality.”
He pulls out a ring that matches the one I’ve been wearing on my right hand for the past year — despite Lou’s protests that it should remain on the left for our‘pre-engagement’— this one looking like its big sister with an even bigger gem in the middle, and even more colors surrounding it in the little stones.
“Baby girl, will you please marry me?”
I grin widely. “Yes, please.”
He places the ring on my finger as we both laugh through our tears. He stands to hold my face in his hands.
“Fucking finally.” He grins, pulling me to his lips.
I wrap my arms around his neck and lift myself up to him, never feeling close enough.
Lou’s pocket starts buzzing like crazy between us.
“You didn’t bring Lucky in your pocket did you?” I joke.
He laughs before pulling out his phone.
“These idiots couldn’t wait five minutes.” He shakes his head. “I told them they’d ruin the surprise, but did they care…” He acts annoyed, but he’s grinning.
“Show me.”
I take his phone and see a ludicrous amount of texts coming through in our group chat.
“This is why I took your phone off you. They couldn’t be trusted.” Lou says. “Do you know how many times they almost gave it away in the past month?”
“You’ve been planning this for a month?” I beam up at him.
