After Happily Ever Afte- Astrid Ohletz Page 0,74

incredibly content.”

“Would you like some more wine?”

“No. I don’t want to fall asleep on you.”

Jess laughed. She gave Kim a quick squeeze, then pulled away. Okay, this is it. She swallowed heavily as she turned to face Kim. Don’t mess it up. She had been working on her proposal for the last week. “Kim…I want to—”

“Wait. I have something I need to say.”

“But.”

“Please.” Kim put her finger on Jess’s lips, stilling any further protest.

Jess kissed the finger pressed to her lips and nodded.

Kim clasped both of Jess’s hands in hers, then ran her thumbs over the backs of Jess’s hands. “You’ve made this evening so special. First, the notes with the riddles.” She laughed. “That was great. Then the roses and chocolates. And finally, all this,” she spread her arms, encompassing the room, “and a wonderful dinner. There is only one thing that could make this day even more special.” Kim slid off the couch and onto her knees in front of it.

What is she doing? Jess’s heartbeat picked up speed.

“I struggled to come up with the perfect speech to express everything in my heart.” Kim removed a small jeweler’s box from her pocket.

Is that…? It felt as if her heart was trying to escape from her chest.

Kim met Jess’s gaze and held it. “Turns out it was really very simple.” She opened the box.

A ring was nestled in a bed of black velvet.

Oh. My. God. She’s going to ask me.

“I love you.” Kim tugged the ring from its velvet nest and offered it to Jess. “Will you marry me?”

Rendered speechless, Jess could only stare at the ring in Kim’s hand. Her thoughts whirled through her head like a pinwheel set in motion by the wind. She knew her mouth was hanging open but couldn’t seem to move.

“Jess?”

Her gaze darted to Kim’s face, then back to the ring. That’s not possible. Jess felt for the ring box hidden in her own pocket. All of her carefully laid plans were blown away in seconds, but Jess didn’t spare them a moment’s regret. She asked me to marry her!

A heavy sigh from Kim tore Jess from her euphoric stupor.

Kim’s hand dropped, and she sat back on her heels. She curled her fingers around the ring.

Wait. My ring! “Kim—”

“It’s okay, Jess. You don’t like it. I’ll get you something else.” Distress twisted Kim’s beautiful face. “Or…if…I mean.” She cleared her throat. “If you’d rather wait and not…” Tears glimmered at the corners of Kim’s eyes.

A surge of panic so strong she felt sick to her stomach hit Jess. She slid off the couch and onto her knees in front of Kim. “I was just shocked. I wasn’t expecting this.” Jess tugged Kim’s clenched hand toward her and urged her to open her fingers. She took the ring from Kim’s palm. “It’s beautiful.” She offered it back to Kim. “Will you put it on me?”

Kim shook her head. “I can’t.”

What?

“You didn’t answer my question yet.”

Relief washed over Jess. She sank down onto her heels. “Yes. Forever.”

A stunning sun-out-from-behind-the-clouds smile lit Kim’s face. “Funny you should say that. Read the inscription.”

Jess tipped the ring, trying to make out the inscription in the dim light. When she did, her smile rivaled Kim’s. Amazing. Fated indeed. Jess locked gazes with Kim and repeated the inscription. “Forever.”

“Forever.” Kim slipped the ring on Jess’s finger, sealing the vow.

As Jess gazed down at her ring, the incredulousness of the whole thing struck her funny bone. She burst out laughing.

“What’s so funny?”

The tone of Kim’s voice drove the laughter from Jess. She flinched at the look on Kim’s face. Fix this fast, or you’re going to spend the most important night of your life on the couch—alone. Jess took both of Kim’s hands in hers, pleased when she wasn’t rebuffed. “You wouldn’t believe it if I told you.”

“Try me.”

Jess allowed her trademark smirk full rein.

Kim arched an eyebrow, making Jess laugh.

“I had one more surprise for you tonight.” Jess pulled the ring box from her pocket.

Kim’s eyes went wide.

Jess opened the box. She took great satisfaction in the gob-smacked look on Kim’s face. Now you know how I felt.

“But…that’s…” Kim’s gaze darted between the ring in the box and the one on Jess’s finger.

“Exactly,” Jess said, suppressed laughter in her voice. “They’re identical.” She lifted the ring from the box and held it out to Kim. “Read the inscription.”

Kim’s hand shook as she reached for the ring. She tilted it and read the inscription. “Forever yours.” Her eyes brimmed with tears.