Page 97 of Falling for Nicole
“I think I’ve loved you since before I knew what it really meant, and I’m tired of fighting it, and I’m hoping you are, too. There’s no one else I want to argue with, or rile up until they want to cause me physical pain, but there’s also no one else I want to curl up in bed with every night and make a future with. That’s what I want, Nic, a future with a house full of our kids and a dog or two.” The picture he paints for me has tears dripping from my jaw. I’m desperate to wipe them away but I don’t want anything to distract me from him right now. “Nicole, will you marry me?”
There’s a small sadistic part of me that wants to say no—as a joke, of course—for old time’s sake, but the second my lips part, there’s never any question about the word that tumbles out.
“Yes,” I cry, emotions getting the better of me.
“Yes?”
Nodding, I repeat my answer. Dec is up off the floor in seconds, and I launch myself at him as the entire room erupts in cheers. I wrap my arms around him as tight as I can. I’m surprised when I feel his whole body quiver. He seemed so confident doing that in front of all these people, but I think I’ve just learnt the truth. When I feel his shoulders start to shake and hear the sounds of his laughter in my ear, I can’t help but join in as the reality of the last few minutes sinks in.
“Nic?” he whispers in my ear.
“Yeah?”
“I forgot the ring.”
I laugh as he pulls away from me and drops back to his knee. My heart twists once again, seeing him in that position. Slowly, he pulls open the box in his hand to reveal the most stunning ring. I allow him to slide it on my finger, and it’s not until I bring the simple square stone set on a thin silver band up to the light to inspect it that I realise the colour isn’t because of the spotlights shining down on us.
“It’s orange,” I say with a laugh, looking up at him now he’s standing.
“Who knew you could get ginger diamonds?” His laughter and the wide smile on his face causes a warmth to spread throughout my entire body. Never in a million years would I have predicted this, but I can’t imagine anything more perfect than spending the rest of my life with the person I love to hate the most.
As we make our way back to the table, a waiter heads our way with a bottle of champagne and glasses for all of us.
“You planned all this?” I ask, turning to Dec.
“I planned that,” he says, flicking a look over his shoulder to the stage. “This is just as much a surprise for me.”
“OH MY GOD, congratulations. You’re going to be my sister,” Lilly screams when we’re close enough. She launches herself from her seat and comes flying towards me. She hits me with such force I think we’re both going to hit the floor. Thankfully, Dec can see what’s about to happen, and stays standing behind me, ready to catch both of us.
The guys congratulate Dec in a more calmly manner, other than BJ, who pulls him in for a hug.
“Oh my god, seriously, I never thought I’d see the day. Declan’s getting married, and to my best friend. I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited.”
“Charming,” Lucas mutters with a laugh.
“Excited for someone else,” she soothes as she leans in to give him a kiss.
The rest of the evening is full of excited chatter and plenty of alcohol. It’s the perfect remedy for all the stress we’ve been through. A rush of excitement runs through me at being able to give Susan some good news while she’s having treatment.
I sit there silently, considering all the jobs I could give her as we plan a wedding. It’ll be the perfect distraction for her.
I’m totally lost in my thoughts when I feel Dec’s stare. “Everything okay?”
“Everything’s perfect. I’m just thinking.”
“You’re planning it already, aren’t you?”
“Not really, I was just wondering about all the things I could get your mum to do. She’s already hating not being at work, so this will keep her busy.”
His smile widens at my words. “I love you,” he says, leaning into kiss me.
“I love you, too,” I mumble against his lips.
* * *
It’s been three weeks since Dec’s very unexpected proposal. I feel like I’ve been floating on cloud nine as I stare down at my ring. I keep expecting to wake up and realised it was all a dream, but it really did happen. He really did get down on one knee, in front of all those people, and declare his love for me. Butterflies erupt in my stomach every time I think about how it felt, standing there watching him trying to find the words he wanted to say.
My phone ringing pulls me from my memories and I look down to see who I’ve been waiting to FaceTime with.
