Page 139 of Powerless
I barely notice Beau’s presence, or the big shit-eating grin on his face.
I barely notice because in all his goaltending gear, in the middle of his Stanley Cup winning celebration, my childhood crush is dropping to one knee right in front of me.
With a little velvet box in his hand.
“Do you know what I don’t like?”
His eyes staring up at mine are so clear, so bright, so unapologetically joyful. I’m still confused, still having a hard time catching up with what’s happening right now, even though it’s so damn obvious.
“What?” I whisper, and I wouldn’t think he could hear me, but he must.
Because he responds with, “Your last name, Sunny. I really don’t like your last name.”
And with that, he flips the little box open to show me a ring. A ring Ilike.A ring I told him about while chugging trashy beer in the passenger seat of his SUV while wearing a wedding ring from another man.
It’s a purple, oval cut sapphire, set horizontally into yellow gold. Surrounded on all edges. It’s quirky. It’s unique. It’s one of a kind.
It’s exact the ring I described to him all those months ago.
“Sloane Gervais sounds right, don’t you think?” His head quirks, damp hair brushing over his forehead. He looks so boyish, all bashful and nervous.
I glance around now, realizing this moment is so much more than just us. It’s the culmination of his life’s work. “Jasper! You should be celebrating right now!” I blurt.
“Sunny, I will.” He laughs, shaking his head at me like I’m amusing to him. “But I want to celebrate with my fiancée. Please, Sloane, let me marry you. Let me make you happy. I don’t wanna be late with this too.”
“Jas.” I laugh, reaching forward and sliding my finger into the ring, hearing a roar of cheers behind us. “You are not late! I didn’t see this coming at all.”
The stone glitters under the bright lights as I flex and wiggle my finger.
“Yeah?” he asks, voice all warm and deep.
I peek back at him, kind of sad to look away from the ring now, and nod.
He laughs and scoops me up into his arms as he reaches full height again, making me squeal. “’Bout fuckin’ time though, eh? You deserved me being early for something after all these years.”
My fingers trail down over his rosy cheeks. “I love you, Jas.”
“Sunny, tell me that’s a yes.”
“It’s always been a yes, Jasper.”
He whoops and twirls me before he kisses me stupid.
And just like that, the boy with the lanky limbs, the caramel hair, and the saddest eyes I’ve ever seen is mine.
Forever.
Epilogue
Jasper
Jasper:Meet me on the driveway.
Sloane:Yes, sir.
Jasper:Pocket that sentence for later when I strip you down and make you crawl.
Sloane:YES, SIR.
