When I turn, though, I see Chase drop to one knee. I feel like I stop breathing. Time slows down. He’s holding a jewelry box in his hand and I have to say, something about all of this feels awfully familiar.
“Kaylee Love,” he says. Then he takes a breath. “I mean Coconut.” There’s a hitch in his voice. “Will you make me the happiest man alive and be my wife?”
Is this really happening? I realize that I’ve stopped in my tracks holding seven different food cartons and two drink tumblers. If anything that makes this moment perfect. Chase knows everything about me. He knows I don’t want the caviar dinner and the tuxedos. I just want him with his mussed hair and our favorite breakfast.
I cross to the coffee table and set down the packages. Then I have to remind myself to breathe. I’ve always, always wanted this moment. And I know for certain that he’s the one I want. “Jellybean, I mean Chase. I would be so proud to be your wife.” I realize that I’m grinning like a maniac. And it’s only after I set down the packages and say yes that I see the tension lines in Chase’s forehead disappear.
He jumps to his feet, breaks out into a huge smile, and kisses me deeply, passionately. I kiss him back. Then I study the jewelry box in his hand for a moment. “Hey, is that the box from before?”
“Yes,” he says with a sly grin, pulling out the ring and slipping it on my hand. It fits perfectly. Because it’s the ring from before.
“I thought this ring was lost,” I said.
“Nope,” he answered, “finally, this ring is found.”
After some more make-out sessions as a real engaged couple, Chase and I have the best breakfast in the history of the world.
“What’s all of this?” I ask, looking over all the brochures on the coffee table.
“Well, somebody important told me to go with my passion. These are all of the football clubs with owner openings. I thought you’d like to help me go through them.”
“I’d love to.”
The two of us get lost in his brochures. I love seeing him so happy and excited about his future. And I’m so glad to be a part of it.
Eventually, Chase looks at his watch. “You’d better hurry, or you’ll be late.”
“Late for what?” I ask.
“For the Beaky Tiki. Lunch with your friends, remember?”
Oh shit, he’s right. I check my own watch and see that there’s no way I’ll ever be on time. As usual.
I trek through the sand just as fast as I can until I see the familiar thatch roof and the tiki torches. The sound of top forty music plays in my ears along with the backdrop of the surf lapping gently against the shore.
And once again, all is right with my world. Well, more than right. I have a giant ring on my finger, and this time it’s for real. I can barely contain my excitement as I get to our usual table. And as usual, I’m last.
“Nice of you to show up,” Fi says, standing to hug me.
“Yeah,” Angie chimes in. “I guess everything really is getting back to normal with you. Minus most of the drama.”
“Not everything,” I say, sitting down and throwing my left hand down on the table. And damn if that ring doesn’t sparkle brighter than the north star. Even in the daylight.
Fi and Angie scream in unison.
“When did this happen?” Angie asks, inspecting the ring all over again. “Hey, wait a minute. You said you threw this ring into the sand.”
“I did,” I answer. “And now it’s back.”
“Wow,” Fi says. “It’s beautiful, Kaylee. And you’ve never looked happier. Congratulations.”
We all raise our glasses and toast. “To the future.”
After a few minutes, Angie clears her throat. “Well this isn’t about the future, really. It’s kind of about the past. You’ll never believe who I ran into today. I’ll give you a hint, he’s the most annoying man in the history of the world.”
I smile at her and settle in. “This sounds like it’s going to be good.”
About the Author
Elyse Riggs is a sassy, coffee loving geek who believes in happily ever afters. She also believes that a few drinks and an order of chips and salsa can pretty much solve any problem.
Join Elyse’s newsletter for upcoming releases and other book related goodness.
And come hang out with Elyse on Facebook. Bring your own cocktails and snacks. She’ll provide the memes.
