Chapter 15 Always Right Here
ALWAYS RIGHT HERE
Hopeton pulled up in front of the restaurant and parked. Before I could reach for the door, Luke was already out, walking around to open it for me.
He offered his hand. I took it.
The street was alive with people and voices. The venue door was opened for the fall breeze, and music spilled out from inside. Warm light glowed through the windows, and silhouettes moved on the other side of the glass.
As we stepped onto the sidewalk, I felt Luke’s fingers press gently into mine. Not tight. Just enough to say, I’m here.
I glanced up at him. He was already watching me.
"You good?" he asked, voice low.
"I think I’ve been waiting for this my whole life."
He smiled like he already knew.
At the front door, one of Luke’s cousins greeted us with a crooked grin. "Well, damn, it’s about time."
Before I could ask what he meant, Luke pulled me inside. The room was alive with energy, and a few heads turned as we walked in, me proudly holding onto my fiancé’s arm.
He breezed by people without allowing me a moment to catch my breath.
"We’re late."
I rolled my eyes. "Can't Selena wait? She’s that important to you?"
Luke locked eyes with me, then gestured with his head to where a chorus of people yelled. "Surprise!"
Eye widening, I scanned the group. They stood under a banner that read, Congratulations to the Happy Couple, Luke the lively beat faded, replaced by something slow and romantic. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. He fished out a jewelry box from his pocket. My smile matched his, so wide I worried my face might split in two.
Luke shifted in front of me, his eyes steady and bright, and then—he dropped to one knee.
Everything got quiet. I couldn’t hear the music anymore. Couldn’t hear the people. Just the thump of my heartbeat, fast and loud in my ears.
His hand shook a little as he opened the box. The ring was simple, beautiful, and so him. Not flashy. Just honest.
"Olivia," he said, looking right at me. "Will you marry me?"
I froze.
For a second, I couldn’t feel my legs. Couldn’t catch my breath. My chest felt tight, like my heart had jumped and didn’t land right.
But the answer was already there. It had been there for years.
"Yes," I said, before I could even think. "Yes."
I barely got the word out before Luke jumped up and pulled me close. He kissed me, soft and a bit off-center, because we couldn’t stop laughing.
He pulled back just enough to look at me. His forehead rested against mine, and his voice came out rougher than usual. "I was scared," he whispered. "Not that you’d say no. Just ... that I might’ve waited too long."
"You didn’t," I said. "You’re right on time."
Behind us, someone sniffled. Then Mei’s voice broke the moment. "Okay, if no one else is gonna say it, finally."
Alex let out a whoop and clapped so hard it echoed. "It only took you two twenty plus years and one fake French fiancée."
Demetria stood, holding her champagne glass up. "To being stupid in love. Emphasis on both parts."
We laughed, all of us, and I turned in Luke’s arms to look at them—my girls, my family—and it felt like the moment folded in on itself. Like everything in my life had been quietly leading here.
Luke squeezed my hand. I looked back at him.
"I love you," he said, like it had always been that simple.
And maybe it was.
My fiancé slipped the ring onto my finger, the finality of it making me catch my breath.
I looked at him, heart pounding. "Luke …"
Before I had a chance to finish, he pulled me into his arms and lifted me off the ground.
"He is a smart, knew better than to skimp on that ring," Alex shouted, and everyone laughed. The ring didn’t matter, and neither did the castle or the dress. What mattered was that Luke and I were together and ready to begin the rest of our lives. I was his, and he was mine.