Chapter 51
Chapter 51:
I roll my eyes.
“What?” I ask.
He takes a breath, and as I’m about to ask again why he’s stopping me from eating my chicken, he pulls out a red box from the pocket of his overcoat and drops down on one knee.
His hand opens the box, and I gasp at the sight of the most diamond ring I have ever seen.
My chest tightens. I can’t breathe. I can’t even move.
I snap my eyes to Sandra. “Sandra, what is happ p>
The rest of my question sinks down my throat when I see the little witch already on her feet, holding her phone at an angle that screams she’s taking pictures of us—probably even recording a video.
I turn back to Asher, gulping for air. His handsome face wears a smile that’s driving my head, my heart, and my belly absolutely crazy.
“What are you doing?” I croak, barely hearing my own voice.
“Can’t you see? I’m trying to propose to you in the middle of a Chicken Grill Spot on the corner of the street p>
Oh. My. God.
My heart pounds against my chest as he takes my left hand, his emerald gaze staring deeply into mine.
“Isla p>
“Yes?” My voice is a whisper. Tears gather in my eyes, and I pray they don’t ruin this moment before it even begins.
I feel Asher’s fingers trembling as they hold my hand, and I know it’s taking everything in him to do this—for me, for us. He clears his throat, the sound making me gulp down another breath.
“Isla, I… I love you. I love you so fucking much that I don’t ever want to stop loving you. I’ve loved you since the first day we met in Literature Class. God, you were—and still are—the most woman I have ever seen. I know I said we should be friends, but I wanted something deeper. And as friends, you were always there for me. We laughed together, cried together, and shared countless unforgettable memories. But I wanted us to be more, because I was losing myself to you every p>
“Damn day. I couldn’t bring myself to tell you that, because Fear twisted in my stomach of losing you. You mattered to me more than my feelings, and I was willing to bury them to keep you with me. That, and more, is how much I loved—and still love—you p>
His grip on my hand tightens, and a tear slips from my right eye.
“No amount, or the right use of words, will ever be enough to fully express how much I love you, Isla. Your smile brightens my darkest days. Your touch soothes my soul like nothing else. Your laughter is music to my ears, and your embrace feels like home. With you, I am home. I am complete. You are my rock, my confidant, my best friend, and my greatest supporter. You’ve shown me what it means to love unconditionally, what it means to be utterly consumed and lost in someone. Your presence in my life has made every moment richer, every breath meaningful, and every second with you more p>
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He sniffs, tilting his head back slightly.
“Today, with everything I have, I want to ask you, Isla Monroe, to be with me for life. I know I’m not stunning, but I promise to love you unconditionally. I promise to spend every single day of my life showing you, proving to you, how much I love you—how much I cherish every moment with you—because I can’t live without you. I’ll give you anything you want, anything at all, as long as you give me the chance to make you as happy as you make me. Please say yes to me. Please p>
Tears are already streaming down my cheeks. I sniff back the sound threatening to escape my nostrils. The people around us might be saying something, but I can’t hear them. All I see is this amazing man kneeling before me, asking me to spend forever with him. His eyes are calm, but I can still see the flicker of fear within them.
All my life, I’ve dreaded the institution of marriage. Marriage isn’t easy, but from my parents’ failed marriage, I’ve learned that the journey becomes so much easier when you’re taking the ride with the person who’s truly stunning for you.
Asher Kane is stunning for me. I love him, and without a single doubt, I know he loves me too. He completes me, he makes me feel at peace with myself, and I can’t imagine spending the rest of my life with anyone but him.
His eyes linger on my lips, flashing with hope, and for the first time, I see him completely vulnerable.
“Yes.” My mouth finally opens, the answer flowing out like a whisper.
“Yes?!” he asks, his watery eyes shining.
“Yes!” I yell, feeling bursts of happiness tearing through me. “Yes, I will marry you p>
“Oh God!” he shouts, nearly springing to his feet. He manages to hold himself down, sniffs a bit, and blinks his watery eyes a couple of times.
My heart swells at the smile plastered across his handsome face.
God, waking up to this face every day will already be a huge blessing.
I watch as his trembling hand carefully slides the diamond ring onto my finger. My breath hitches at the sight. The silver gemstones surrounding the diamond sparkle as sunlight beams down, glowing beautifully around my hand.
“Phew,” Asher exhales, standing up. “I never knew proposing was that hard p>
I smile, rising from my seat. “It was stunning p>
He pulls me into his arms and presses his lips against mine, stealing my breath away, kissing me with every fiber of his being. My heart pounds as if it’s about to leap from my chest, and my toes curl as shivers race down my spine. His lips keep claiming mine like he can’t get enough. My hands clutch at his coat, pulling him closer. His warmth crashes over me like a storm, sealing my choice.
I am going to spend forever in his arms, and my heart knows I’ve made the right decision.
When we finally pull apart, I begin to register the cheers and loud voices shouting “Congratulations” all around us. The smile on Asher’s face is everything, and without a single doubt, I know my own face is glowing too.
He kisses the top of my forehead, cups my cheeks, and stares deeply into my eyes. “I will always love you, Isla. Always p>
The way he looks at me sends another sweet shiver down my spine. I smile, knowing he’s telling me the truth, knowing he’ll always make me feel this way—completely intoxicated with him. Forever.
“I love you, Asher,” I confess, running my fingers along his stunning jawline.”Always p>