Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 102607 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102607 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
I watch, brow raised.
“You good down there, Ace?” I put my hand on his back. “Babe?”
It’s not until I follow his gaze up the shelves that I notice the white, square lacquered box.
At first, my brain doesn’t compute—I think it’s someone’s lost AirPods case.
Or an item someone was too lazy to put back on its proper shelf. You know how when you find a bottle of shampoo next to the cans of soup because people are monsters?
That.
But then I glance at Luca again—at the way he’s nervously shifting his weight, hands stuffed in his pockets like he doesn’t trust them not to combust—and something in my stomach twists.
Wait.
No.
No way.
I look again. Closer.
It’s not a lost AirPods case.
It’s glossy, yes.
And small.
But square.
And it’s been placed in the center of two cans, too carefully to be an accident.
It can’t be.
I blink at the box.
Then I blink at Luca.
Then at the box again.
When I turn back around, he is down on one knee. He exhales sharply—nervous, jittery—and reaches for the middle shelf.
I take a step back, then forward, then back again. I have no idea what to do with my hands. Or my face.
Or my whole body, honestly.
“Oh my…” I whisper, hands covering my mouth, immediately checking for this life milestone. “What are you doing?”
WHAT IS HE DOING?!?!
“What does it look like I’m doing?” he asks, reaching over to pluck the lacquered box from the shelf like a man about to propose in the canned goods section. “Nova. Babe.”
Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God.
He is not!
“Nova Montagalo,” he begins, eyes locked on mine. “The first time I saw you, we were at the ESPY Awards. You were wearing that red dress—and I remember thinking two things at once: that you were the most gorgeous woman I’d ever seen…and two, that you were definitely out of my league.”
I choke on a watery laugh as he goes on.
“I don’t know if you remember having to use the ladies’ room that night, but the entire time you were inside it, I kept trying to think of things to say when you walked out. And when you did I froze. Asked you if it went well.” He laughs. “Nothing was more devastating than joining the Baddies and learning I wouldn’t be allowed to date you—not that I would have had the balls to ask you out.”
Tears continue forming in my eyes.
People around us are beginning to notice us. A woman gasps as she rounds the corner with her cart. One of the stock guys gawks as he pushes a flatbed full of water bottles.
But I only see Luca.
“The best day of my life was the day I saw you on that dating app.”
My throat constricts as I whisper, “Mine too.”
“The only thing I’ve ever wanted was a family of my own,” he continues hoarsely. “To have someone love me the way you love me. I want babies with you. I want to build a house with you. And I want to keep having sex with you on Saturday afternoons.”
We do that.
We instituted Sex Saturday to keep things interesting so we’re regularly banging—and I highly recommend it with a busy schedule. Ha!
“And,” Luca adds, loud enough for the couple near the apple display to hear, “I’d really love to keep doing those things as your husband.”
My legs wobble.
Bottom lip shakes.
I am two seconds away from ugly crying!
“I am so in love you, Nova Montagalo. You are my person. The love of my life, the thorn in my side, and the person I want to wake up next to every morning—morning breath and all. I’ve been yours since the first time you rolled your eyes at me.
So…” He pops the top on the red box with trembling hands and a dramatic flourish. “Will you marry me?”
I stare at the diamond.
It glistens, sparkles, and shines.
It’s frickin’ huge!
“Holy shit,” I breathe out.
“Is that a yes?” he asks, voice cracking in a worried way—as if he’s actually, seriously crazy enough to worry I’d say no!
IS HE OUT OF HIS MIND?!
“Yes!” I gasp, vibrating. “Obviously, yes!”
Luca slips the ring on my finger—his hands are shaking so badly he misses my finger and gets my thumb on the first try—and I grab the front of his hoodie, yanking him in for a kiss that earns a whoop from everyone who has now gathered in aisle three.
Those surrounding us and caught the entire proposal begin clapping, including an enthusiastic toddler pushing a tiny, pink doll stroller.
I go down on my knees so I can kiss Luca’s face, placing a smooch on the tip of his nose.
Near his eye.
Corner of his mouth.
I cup his face between my eyes. “Want to know a secret?”
His big, brown eyes get wider. “You’re pregnant?”
Jeez. Seriously?
“No!” I laugh. “I can’t believe you proposed to me, because I’ve been thinking about proposing to you!”