Page 85 of Evil Villain (The Royal Court)

Finally, The Royal Court was left alone once again.

“You guys,” Cherri said, sliding down onto my lap in one of the outdoor chairs that was surrounding the pool. “This was absolutely amazing. I can’t think of any way I would have rather spent my birthday. Everyone I loved was there, and all the gifts were perfect.”

“I’m so glad you liked it,” Nikita said. “We all played our own little part in it. Kyle wanted to do like a creepy escape room thing as a joke because we haven’t had to chase around after Connor for over a month, but he was overruled.”

“No I wasn’t, I just bought tickets to take Cherri some other time,” Kyle said.

Cherri giggled. “And I can’t wait.”

“What’d you get her, Deon?” Avery asked. “I mean, apart from breaking your bed frame this morning?”

I chuckled. “I actually haven’t given it to her yet. I kind of wanted to do it in private.”

“More bed breaking?” Colette said.

“No,” I replied. “Well, yes, but no. It’s just something special to me and I kind of wanted it to be an intimate moment between us, if that’s okay?”

“Oh, sure.” Colette stood up. “Well, let’s go, gang.”

I held out a hand. “Oh, no, I didn’t mean—”

But it didn’t matter. Everyone was already getting up from their respective seats and filing inside, leaving Cherri and I alone in the cool, summer evening air. Cherri just laughed and snuggled against me. “Gotta be careful what you say to these assholes.”

“I guess so,” I said. “But, I’m not going to turn down the moment. Can you get up for a sec?”

“Oh. Sure.”

Cherri stood up out of the chair and I stood up to stand across from her. I grabbed her hands and held them. “Cherri, you are the love of my life. I know we’re only 19, officially today, but there’s not a question in my life that I want to be with you forever.”

Cherri smiled. “Yeah. Me too.”

“I know it would be insane to propose to you, at least at this point. Not just because we’re still so young and have a lot to figure out, but because I know how I want to propose and it doesn’t involve any of this stuff.”

“Ooh, what does it involve?” Cherri asked.

“Nice try, Slick,” I said.

She shrugged. “It was worth a shot.”

“Even if I’m waiting a little bit longer to propose, I do want you to have something as a promise of what’s to come. I know that sounds cheesy, but I do.”

I pulled the small, silver box in my pocket out and tipped back in the case. Inside was a modest ring with a purple crystal at the heart of it, and a couple of small diamonds on either side. It wasn’t extravagant, by design. Even though I could afford more now, I wanted to start simple so that there was room to grow.

Just like with our relationship.

“It’s beautiful,” Cherri said. “I love it.”

“Now that I’m officially going to be working at L.C.E. once I get my G.E.D., and then going to business school, I’m vowing a few things to you. One: to build a beautiful life for us that’s earned frommyhard work. Not Connor’s, not Nathan’s, but mine. Two: to have a house of our very own built. Somewhere nearby, so we still have access to your family and all of your friends, but far enough away that we don’t feel smothered. Three: to prepare myself for the family I know you want. In a few years, when we’re ready, and I’ve taken all the necessary steps towards our future, I’ll propose to you for real, and our wedding is going to be amazing.”

Cherri nodded. “I can’t wait.”

“So?” I said. “Do you accept?”

“Of course I accept!” She held out her right hand, the typical hand for putting a promise ring on. “I love you.”

I pulled the ring on and slid it onto her right ring finger. “I love you, too.”

She looked down at the ring for a little bit, and I tried to memorize the genuine, warm smile that rose to her face as she did. I set my lips to hers and she wrapped her arms behind my neck. I still didn’t know what the future held for Cherri and I, but I knew with her by my side and the support of our family and friends, there was nothing but happy days ahead.

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