The Proposal by J. Lynn Page A

curved up at the corners, I heard nothing. I saw only her. And she was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. I’d be the luckiest SOB on the planet to spend the rest of my life With her. Only her.
    “You holding up the door, boy?” my father said. I bit back a groan. Way to kill the mood. But I… I couldn’t pull my eyes away from her. Mom stood from where she was perched on the arm of dad’s chair.
    “You okay, honey?”
    “Yeah,” I replied, voice hoarse. “Never been better.” And that was the damn truth. Eyes trained on her, I stepped over the long legs of my friend. He said something. I had no clue what it was. Probably something that will make me want to punch him later, because I heard my sister giggle. But my focus was on her, on those pretty eyes. Her smile spread, crinkling her nose. I knew just how many freckles she had on the bridge of her nose. Eight. And a half. She had a couple more in some really interesting places. Places I really didn’t need to think about right this moment.Taking a deep breath, I did it. Holy crap balls, I did it.
    I got down on one knee in front of her. Like a champ. As I stared in the warmest brown eyes, my sister squealed as she shot from the couch like there were springs under her The moment she recognized what I was doing, before I even reached into my pocket, would stay with me for the rest of my life. She jerked back as her eyes widened, turning glassy with a fine sheen. Her lips moved, silently speaking my name. And that—the movement of just her lips got to me. I was such a Hallmark card right now, but I had no regrets Silence fell in the room. My dad was even quiet. For once. & the knot in my throat expanded, so when I spoke, it was raspy.
    “I planned on doing this a couple of months ago,” I told her, feeling my heart trying to climb out of my chest.
    “Things came up, & I thought I’d have something else big planned, but I cant wait any longer. I don’t want to.” I had to clear my throat. “I don’t have a big speech, but you know that I love you, right? That I’m in love with you.” With the tips of her fingers pressed against her lips, she nodded as she blinked rapidly. Yeah, she knew. “And I’m always going to be in love you.” My voice caught. “You running into me in the hallway was my luckiest day.”
    “Oh God,” she whispered.
    “So I’m hoping that you’re going to make today my second luckiest day, by saying yes.”
    “Holy shit,” my dad murmured, and I heard my mother hush him.
    “Dad,” my sister cried. “Geez. Seriously?”
    Laughing, I reached into my pocket, finding the ring & pulling it out. I tugged her left hand away from her mouth I kissed the top of her hand first, and then I lifted my gaze, meeting hers once again. Her hand shook as bad as mine & her eyes were full of tears. I couldn’t move or speak for a moment. Frozen in the moment. And then I found my voice. “Avery Morgansten, would you make me the luckiest guy ever by being my wife?”
    “Yes,” she said, nodding, & before I could get the ring on her finger, she sprung forward, wrapping her arms around my neck I rocked back, folding my arms around her, and I lost my balance, landing on my ass with her latched onto me,
    the top of her red head buried against my chest. Someone in the room shouted and clapped. I could hear my mom crying
    I reached beside us, gently lifting her cheek. “Shortcake…” My voice trembled, & I didn’t care.
    “You’re going to let me get this ring on you?” Avery half laughed, half hiccuped as she pulled back, swiping at her cheeks with her palm.
    “Yes. Sorry.” She extended her left arm, all but shoving her hand at me, and I laughed. Yeah, my vision was blurring. On went the ring. Perfect fit. She clasped my cheeks as she leaned in, resting her forehead against mine. “I love you, Cam. I love you so very much.” My eyes drifted shut and I held her tight. So close I could feel her heart beating as fast as mine. Waiting