Page 41 of A Love That Broke Us
I laughed, thinking it was a joke. “Ha. Okay. Maybe if they win.” I nudged his arm.
“No, I’m serious, Al.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring box. No theatrics. No kneeling. Just Jensen, grinning, opening the box, and asking again. “You and me. This. It’s my favorite thing in the world. I knew I was going to ask you, I just didn’t know when. But sitting here with you, watching football, just us… I don’t want that to ever change. I don’t ever want to watch another game without you. Will you marry me?”
I didn’t even look at the ring. I didn’t need to. It could’ve been tinfoil twisted into a circle, and I still would’ve said yes. Because it was Jensen. The guy who loves me even though we’re complete opposites. The one who’d rather go out but stays in because he knows I’m an introvert. The one who makes me feel sexy even in my ugly hospital scrubs. The one who doesn’t care that I’m obsessive about cleaning or that I won’t let him come in my mouth.
The guy who doesn’t just love me despite my flaws—helovesmy flaws.
The one I share everything with. The one who makes me laugh until it hurts. The one who carries my burdens as if they’re his own. My best friend. The guy who took something as simple as football and made it special. Made it ours. Every game from now on would remind us of this moment.
I don’t know how he does it, but he always finds a way to turn ordinary moments into once-in-a-lifetime memories.
I looked at him, nodding as a smile spread so wide it stretched my cheeks. “Yes. Yes. A thousand times, yes.”
Jensen slid the ring onto my finger. And the kiss that followed? To die for. Beautiful. Hot. Romantic as hell. I ended up straddling his lap, and we made out right there—a little more than that too.
We never finished watching the game. I couldn’t even tell you who won. Eventually, I looked at the ring, and it couldn’t have been more me. It was simple, delicate diamonds set into a band—just enough to say,I’m taken.It was perfect. It was us: classic, beautiful, and each other’s.
Zach’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. “So, are you already dreaming up big wedding plans?”
I scoff. “Please. You know me. I don’t want a big wedding. What, with my grand total of fifteen people to invite? I’d be fine getting married in Vegas.” I laugh, but as I say it, something shifts. It hits me. Itstings. I don’t have parents. No real family. Just Michael, maybe my aunt and uncle, and a few close friends.
I shake it off. “Honestly, I haven’t thought about it yet. It’s still so new. But maybe end of summer next year? Early fall? I don’t know. I’m just excited to marry Jensen. I don’t really care how it’s done.”
Zach gapes at me. “Knock that off right now. You have so many people in your corner who love you, and you deserve the best of the best. And you better be prepared for an elaborate wedding. Jensen has a big family, plus they’re loaded. You know how the wealthy do it in New York. I don’t see Vegas happening, babe.”
I shrug. “It is what it is, I guess. As long as I go home as Alley Adams, I don’t care where it happens.”
“Okay, fine. At least tell me you’ve thought about what you want your dress to look like.” But before I can answer, he huffs. “Of course you haven’t. You don’t care about the dress either. Honestly, Al, it’s a good thing you have Scarlett and me for these things.”
I just laugh. “You know I don’t care about that stuff, Zach. And if Jensen’s mom wants a whole to-do, then I guess I’m having a big-ass wedding.”
“You’re crazy, boo. Are you inviting your dad?”
“Why would I? So he can forget to show up?” A self-deprecating laugh slips out. “No. Michael can walk me down the aisle. He’s been the only father figure in my life for the past decade.”
Zach frowns. “But what about the first sixteen years of your life? Doesn’t that count for something?”
“If doing a half-assed job for half my life makes someone a good father, then sure. He was a great dad for sixteen years.”
I feel his stare on the side of my face. I know what he’s thinking. And there is no way in hell I’m inviting my father.
“Hey, help me move this gurney,” I say, interrupting the awkward silence before he can push it further.
He exhales. “Alright. Whatever you need.”
Chapter Fifteen
ALLEY
THEN
Conversation and musicfill the apartment, empty wine glasses and half-eaten desserts scatter across the countertop. The night is winding down, friends trickling out in pairs. My cheeks ache from smiling, my body pleasantly tired from playing host.
“Ah, thank you both for coming.” I give Joey a hug before moving to Zach.
“Of course! We wouldn’t miss it,” Joey says.
“We’re so happy for you.” Zach squeezes me tight before stepping back, and I wave as the two of them leave.
