Maverick
She walked down the rose-lit path wearing her dress, dark and glimmering, like a constellation poured into fabric.
The fabric clung to her skin like it had been sewn there, molded to every dip and curve with deliberate precision.
The top fits like a second skin, minimal, revealing, sensual, but elegant in its simplicity, balanced by the lace corset cinching her waist, embroidered in black and coral thread like smoke curling over flame, the thigh-high slit parting like it had been waiting for the chance to reveal her honeyed skin and the flash of her gold stilettos clicking with each step like a countdown on polished floors.
Her accessories whispered wealth and seduction: a delicate gold chain at her throat, resting just above the swell of her collarbone; hoops that caught the light when she turned her head; gold bangles stacked at her wrist, each one dancing with the promise of touch.
She didn't look like trouble, no, she looked like the reward after it.
I couldn't look away. The hypnotic sway of her hips as she continued to walk, though she had no idea what was going on, or the smile that could illuminate a million rooms, her beautiful eyes were wide with wonder, leaving Knox and me mesmerized.
When she saw us, Knox standing at one end of the path, me at the other, she stopped in her tracks.
We both held out our hands.
“Come to us,” Knox said, his voice a soft tremble.
She walked down the middle, halfway to me, halfway to him.
“I don’t know what’s happening,” she laughed nervously, cheeks glowing.
“It’s everything,” I said, “Everything you deserve.”
Knox stepped forward and took her left hand.
“I remember the day Mav told me he met you, a woman, Ajaih. The fear that consumed me at the thought of losing my first and only love made me so anxious I almost had a panic attack, but then I decided not to jump to the worst possible outcome; instead, I asked for a picture of the woman who was going to share Maverick’s heart.
I remember opening the pic and losing my breath briefly.
Your beauty has that effect on people, and funny enough, you don’t seem to know it.
Then, I met you, spent time with you, laughed with you, and even cried with you.
I stand here today, thanking God for placing you in my life.
You are a light I didn’t know I needed.”
I stepped forward and took her right. “You came into my ER, fragile, afraid, but the strongest I’d ever seen anyone be.
I knew that day I was going to love you, even when I had no idea if you’d let me, but I was fully prepared to convince you to let me.
The goodness that you are could heal a thousand broken hearts, because it definitely helped to heal what was broken in me. ”
“You didn’t just change our lives, Ajaih. You showed us how to live them,” Knox added.
“And now? We plan to spend the rest of our days returning that gift to you.”
We reached into our pockets and pulled out matching Tiffany ring boxes, revealing the 5 carats of diamonds between us.
Knox selected a sunbeam incarnate, comprising a 2.
5-carat cushion-cut yellow diamond, bold and radiant like her spirit.
The diamond is set in warm, 18k yellow gold, accented with a diamond-studded band that glitters like sunlight on water.
The ring was more than just luxury; it was joyful, lush, and regal.
A celebration of Ajaih’s vitality, power, and fire.
It was the embodiment of Knox’s love, expressive, bold, vibrant, and full of heat.
His engraving read, “Santorini x 2.”
I’d decided on a ring that said sleek precision.
A 2.5-carat minimalist masterpiece with quiet, devastating beauty.
A square-cut center diamond. It was like fire and ice in one room, dazzling and perfectly cut to reveal its brilliance, set in a platinum band that sparkles with a pavé of delicate diamonds, catching the light like whispered promises.
Understated but powerful, this ring represents me and the way I love Ajaih in every way, intentional, structured, deeply romantic, and absolutely unshakable.
Inside the band, I had “My Gravity." Engraved in Ajaih’s own handwriting.
Dropping to one knee, Knox followed suit.
“Ajaih Jeffries,” I said, voice thick.
“Will you marry us?” Knox asked, smiling.
Her hands flew to her mouth, and tears poured down her cheeks like stars falling from heaven.
“I—I love you. Both of you. So so so so so damn much.”
“Is that a yes?” I asked, laughing through my own tears.
She dropped to her knees between us, wrapped her arms around our necks, and pulled us in.
“It’s a hell yes!”