Page 131 of Deep In Love
All other words fall short, but he nods, hearing what I don’t know how to say, and leaves me with Darwin.
I let the silence sink into my bones, mentally throwing questions into the universe in hopes they’ll reach him.
Do you have any regrets?
How do you feel about the state of the world?
What are your thoughts about spray cheese?
The last one is a panic question, but it’s equally as important as the others. He would definitely have something insightful to add about canned cheese.
“We can go,” I say, content in the memory.
“Just one more thing,” Mateo says, as he kneels down, right beside the marble inscribed with Darwin’s name.
“What are you doing?” I hiss, trying to pull him off the ground. “You’re denigrating a sacred space.”
The verger coughs to hide his laughter, but I’m not focused on him. I’m worried about my boyfriend accidentally cursing us by disrespecting Darwin and his sanctified resting place.
Instead of rising, Mateo slips a small velvet box out of his pocket.
Oh, Neptune.
My hands immediately begin to tremble as Mateo kneels on Darwin’s grave. It’s damn near impossible to pull air into my lungs as he opens the box and displays the shiny ring sitting on the plush fabric.
A pear-shaped deep-blue sapphire sits atop a gold band, bracketed by smaller sapphires in varying shades of green. It’s by far the most stunning ring I’ve ever seen. It’s unique and reminds me of the sea and the moss green of his eyes in the morning light.
“Mateo?” My voice is shaky, and I clutch my purse tightly to my chest.
He clears his throat, and with the hand not holding the gorgeous ring, he reaches out and takes my left hand.
“You have been the object of my affection from the day I spilled wine all over your dress,” he starts in a gruff voice. “And once I got to know you—studied every intricate detail—I knew you were it for me. You are my homeland, Charlie. Tu eres mi patria.Loving you the last three years has been the greatest honor of my life, and I’m hoping to do so for the rest of our lives, if you’ll let me.”
A choked sob escapes as he pulls the ring from the box and extends it toward me.
“Charlotte Luise Bowen, mi bruja, will you give me the—”
“Hurry up,” a familiar voice yells.
Another adds, “We want to celebrate!”
I spin to find Amy and Oliver not-so-patiently standing at the end of the hall.
“Yes!” I scream, turning back to Mateo. “Yes, yes, a million times yes.”
“I didn’t get to fully ask,” he mumbles as I launch at the ring. He pulls it away. “Will you marry me?”
“Yes, now put it on!” I shove my hand in his face as he rises.
The ring slips onto my finger perfectly, and I admire the jewels and how they shine in the light against the backdrop of Darwin’s grave. I only have a moment before Amy collides into my back, wrapping me into a tight hug, the aroma of vanilla cupcakes perfuming the air.
“Congratulations, Charles,” she says, weeping into the back of my dress.
I spin around to hug her fully, and she pulls Mateo into our embrace and cries happy tears into his shirt as well.
Mateo offers me a warm smile, and I return it, my heart thumping in my ears.
Amy releases me, and her smile falters as Oliver walks over, pulling Mateo into a hug of their own. She and Oliver exchange a look I can only describe as intense longing, mixed with sadness and resolve. I don’t like the look on her face one bit.
