Page 121 of Let Me Love You (Excess All Areas 5)

Nan sniffed and blew her nose. “It’s just all so…perfect. This. Us. I just wish your grandad could have been here to see it. Maurice would have loved it.”

“As you always say, I’m sure he’s watching.”

“Fine. I’ll sing.” Nan patted his cheek. “Now, what about you? When are you going to propose to Chaya?”

“Can you keep a secret?”

“You know I can. These lips are like a vault.”

Ben smirked. “Don’t think so, Nan. But let me show you something.” He put his hand into the inside pocket of the jacket and pulled out the engagement ring. Platinum. Without large or sharp claws, because she hated the way they plucked on clothes. Round with a halo of diamonds. Delicate, like she was. “I was going to propose to her tonight. Alex had said he’d planned fireworks for his birthday. I thought it might be nice to slip her away from everyone else and propose. But I can’t do that, now it’s a wedding. I can’t overshadow Alex’s big day.”

Nan reached for the ring and peered at it carefully. “Yes. You can. Because your brother doesn’t care about stuff like that.”

“Well, I wouldn’t do that to Zoe. She deserves her own day.”

“When you were little, Ben, all four of you came over to stay at my house. Jase was maybe three, Alex was four, and you and Matt were about six. Your grandad took all four of you to the shop so you could get some treats, and then he bundled you all up on the sofa with blankets and pillows. Jase could barely sit still. Always moving. He spilled his sweets a million times, and every time, you’d get up without ever complaining and pick them up. And Alex kept getting off the sofa to dance to every song in the damn movie. I can’t remember what it was, probablyThe Lion King, given he knew every word. And every time he crawled back on, you’d make sure he was tucked back in right. And you’d notice when Matt would drift off and stop watching. You’d nudge him to get his focus back on track. You’ve always done everything for everyone else. Not one person here will begrudge you starting tomorrow engaged to Chaya, love.”

“You’re proposing to Chaya?” Alex said from behind them in the corridor, a huge grin on his face.

“I thought you were going to see Zoe,” Ben said, trying to get the ring out of Nan’s hands.

“I am, but I realised halfway up the stairs that I should probably check Nan was okay singing.”

Nan held the ring up. “He was going to propose to Chaya during the fireworks.”

“Which I am not doing, now,” he said, taking the ring out of Nan’s hand. “Not hijacking your wedding day.”

Alex walked over and took the ring from him, looking carefully at it. “It’s beautiful. And technically, if that was your plan, I hijacked your proposal day.”

Ben shook his head. “If we’re being pedantic, I was hijacking your birthday.”

“Like I give a shit about any of that. Propose. Now. Later. Whenever you like. Then, we both start new chapters of our lives tomorrow, with sisters, too.”

“You serious?” Ben asked.

“Come do it now. Then, I can tell Zoe she gets an engagement ring and a sister-in-law. You know how much those two get along and want to be related.”

“I was going to do it during the fireworks.”

Alex laughed. “Always waiting,” he teased.

“Good job one of those girls is a doctor because I might have a heart attack, at this rate,” Nan said.

Alex hugged them both and gave Ben his ring back. “This is honestly the most epic day. Come do it.”

Ben looked at Nan. “I think I should.”

Nan patted his cheek. “I think you should too. Good luck, lad. Although, I think we both know what she’s going to say.”

Ben followed Alex up the stairs. “I’ll send Chaya to your room,” Alex said, then slapped him on the back. “Good luck, man. It’s a heady feeling.”

Ben stepped into their room. Chaya had obviously tidied it a little, at some point. He retrieved the notes he’d made from his pocket. All in bullet form.

Met under worst circumstances.

In awe of her resilience and grace.

Proud of who she’s become.

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