Page 88 of Molly

He lets go, steps back, and wipes his face with his hands before spinning around to face Ryan. As soon as Ry sees the look on his best friend’s face, his expression morphs into one of concern. “Beck...” He looks at me, panicked.

“Ryan, why don’t you put the kettle on?” I suggest.

He nods, looks at Beckett and then spins around, rushing to the kitchen.

Fuck me, it’s going to be a long night, and Penny’s not even here yet.

EPILOGUE

MOLLY

We’ve been together for two years today, and we're heading to the Barossa Valley to stay at a cute little boutique winery. I’m so fucking excited, mainly because I know he's going to propose, but also because I’ve got a little secret of my own to share.

Two days ago, Penny came by and took me to get my nails done. She hovered around for half an hour before suggesting we get manicures. Ryan jumped off the couch and insisted it'd be good for me to get pampered while he took Em to the park. They gave each other the most adorable sly looks, thinking they'd totally pulled it off.

It would have been less obvious if Evie hadn’t called yesterday, claiming she forgot all about a hair appointment she had booked in. She said that she made plans and suggested I take the appointment. When I said I didn’t feel like going, she basically said my hair looked shit and got herself all worked up. I went and got a trim, a treatment and a blow-dry.

Now here we are, sitting in the car on our way to my big fat ring. I'm squirming in my seat with anticipation.

We’re staying for one night, and it’s only 11:00AM, so he’ll do it today. He has to. He’s been dropping hints for months now.

I’m so fucking ready to marry this man. So ready for this next phase in our lives; our little family of three... plus one.

???

“How was your food, baby?” Ryan asks.

He looks so damn sexy in his light denim jeans and his white, short-sleeve, linen shirt that I lose my train of thought gawking at him.

“Mol? Baby, how was your food?”

“Oh! Shit, sorry. It was great. This place is so beautiful,” I reply, looking around at the vineyards. We're sitting outside, and the sun is hitting me just right. The breeze is cool and calming. There couldn’t be a more perfect place for him to pop the question.

I fiddle around with the rose gold watch on my wrist, hoping it isn’t rubbing off my surprise when the waitress catches my eye. A huge grin spreads across my face when I see her bringing a small plate towards us with a chocolate lava cake in the middle. Oh my god, it’s going to be like the movies. Did he hide the ring inside it? Or is he going to do it once we’ve had dessert?

She sets it down, and I gush when I see they’ve writtenHappyAnniversaryon the rim.I hold my breath every time I take another bite, looking for the ring, waiting for him to get down on one knee, waiting for him to ask me.

But he doesn't.

???

We pull up to the most adorable little plant shop that’s really more of a giant greenhouse. There are bunches of daisies lining the front of the store wrapped up in brown paper, and every variety of indoor plant you can imagine fills the space, set out in beautiful chaos.

I want to live here.

The owner, Sarah, introduces herself to us, and when Ryan tells her his name, her eyes go wide. “Ryan! Yes, Ryan. Right. We've been expecting you. Come on through, I’ll take you out back.”

He grins at me and takes my hand in his as we follow her outside. She leads us to a private outdoor dining area. There’s a single wine barrel and two stools set up under a white umbrella. Fairy lights hang around small surrounding trees, and wind chimes sing through the air. Birds are chirping, the sun is warm on my face, and I can hear “Nothing” by Bruno Major playing faintly through the outdoor speakers.

This place makes me smile. I was wrong before. This is the perfect place to pop the question.

There's a bottle of wine sitting on top of the barrel with two glasses and a vase full of beautiful red roses.

When I turn back around, Sarah has disappeared, and Ryan gestures for me to sit down. When he fills my glass, I’m giddy with excitement. This is it.

He pours himself a glass and raises it to mine, clinking them together. I pretend to take a sip, put it back down and wait.

I’m on the edge of my seat.

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