18. Chapter 18
Chapter 18
Katherine
I close my eyes, anticipating the feel of his lips on mine. His kiss is sweet and gentle, yet incredibly intimate. He takes his time, savoring the connection—and my lips. I feel my body relax, as if I’m floating on air. His hand rests on the hollow of my neck, drawing lazy circles with his thumb, awakening all my senses and pulling me deeper into this spell between us.
When he pulls away, it takes everything in me to keep from begging him to stay.
"I have to go," he says, brushing my lips with his one last time.
I walk him out, then wave goodbye as I watch him drive away. Once the car disappears from sight, I turn back to the empty house and shut the door behind me. The house feels empty now, but not nearly as empty as I do.
***
"I can't stand it," I confess, watching as Mom slices cucumbers for a salad. "I miss him so much."
"It's only been two weeks, honey," Mom says.
"It feels like a month," I counter.
With Laila back in school and Loren having dinner with her future in-laws, tonight it’s just my parents, Adam, and me.
"It was the right thing to do," she says. "It's one thing to live with Adam as a lifelong friend, but another as your boyfriend."
"It's still hard," I insist. "I've never felt this way about anyone before. He's so sweet, Mom. A gentleman. Sensitive, but still such a man. Does that make sense?"
Mom flashes me a knowing smile. "He's a lot like your father."
"He is," I say, smiling as I grab a slice of cucumber and pop it into my mouth. I turn and open the oven door, peeking at the stuffed chicken breasts roasting inside.
"Fancy dinner tonight, Mom. What's the special occasion?"
"Your dad was in the mood for one of his favorites," she says. "Can you help me grill the asparagus?"
"Of course!" I say, grabbing the three bunches, ready to trim the ends. "What's for dessert?"
"Whipped chocolate mousse with fresh strawberries and whipped cream," Mom says.
The back door opens, and when my sisters walk in, I’m both surprised and excited.
"What are you two doing here?!" I exclaim.
"I decided to come home for the weekend," Laila says. "All my friends have boyfriends, so weekends are pretty boring for me."
"And you?" I ask, turning to Loren.
"Mom said she was making chocolate mousse for dessert," Loren says. "So here we are."
"Justin's here too?" I ask.
"Yeah," Loren says. "He's in the den with Dad and Adam."
***
Looking around the dinner table, I’m flooded with childhood memories—Adam’s constant presence, Justin always by my sister’s side, Laila endlessly talking about her favorite show, ER. Except now, she’s talking about real medicine, her goals set in stone.
When it’s time for dessert, I offer to get it, but Adam insists on doing the honors. The dessert cups are clear glass, and when I see the sweet confection, my mouth waters. Adam moves around the table, setting one in front of each of us.
"This is so pretty," I say. "It's almost a shame to start eating it."
I pick up the spoon and gently scoop some of the whipped cream. Hmm. It's homemade, lightly sweetened with powdered sugar. The tartness of the strawberries mixed with the chocolaty richness of the mousse is pure perfection.
When I look up, I catch Adam watching me intently, a big smile on his face. When we were children, my life's mission was to make him miserable. Yet he would still smile at me. Just like he's doing now.
I smile back and scoop another spoonful of mousse from the cup. I put it in my mouth just as I sweep my eyes around the room—and suddenly realize everyone is staring at me.
Then I feel something solid against my tongue. My fingers reach for it, and when I pull it out, my breath catches.
It's a ring.
I dart my eyes to Adam, who's already on his feet. In two short strides, he's beside me, dropping down on one knee.
Tears well in my eyes. I can't believe this is happening.
Adam gently takes the ring from my hand, dips it into my ice water to wash off the mousse, then dries it with my napkin.
It's beautiful. A solitaire round diamond gleams under the warm glow of the dining room lights, set on a delicate platinum band that catches the light with every tiny movement. The setting is timeless—elegant yet understated—and so undeniably perfect.
"Katherine Shay Linder," he begins. My hand instinctively flies to my mouth, covering it to stifle a gasp. I glance around and take in the incredible transformation this moment has drawn from each of my family members. Mom is smiling through her tears. Loren and Justin hold each other, lost in the memory of their own engagement. Laila grins from ear to ear, a knowing glint in her eyes. Dad’s pride and utter joy are unmistakable. Two of his favorite people are coming together. I wonder if he’s always known that it would all lead to this.
I turn my gaze back to Adam—my sweet adversary, the love of my life—and wait for him, as he takes my hand and writes our future with four life-changing words.
"Will you marry me?"