Chapter 26 Nyree
Asia stood before me, staring at me with confusion in her eyes, but also clearly interested in what I had to say.
She let me in and closed the door behind us.
Suddenly, I was nervous, but at the same time, I never felt so sure of anything in my life.
“What is it?” she asked again, and I stopped wasting time.
"Asia," I began, then slowly lowered myself to one knee.
Her eyes widened, her hand flying to her mouth. "Nyree, what are you doing?"
I raised my hand. "Shh, listen, baby."
She fell silent, though I could see her chest rising and falling rapidly. She looked shocked, maybe even a little scared, but she didn't back away.
"I know we haven't known each other very long," I continued, my voice steadier than I expected, "but I realized something last night."
Her eyes were fixed on mine, searching, questioning, but there was something else there too—something that gave me the courage to keep going.
"Asia, I need you. In our short time together, you have elevated my life so much already by barely even lifting a finger." The words flowed from me now, words I hadn't rehearsed but that came straight from my heart.
Asia stared at me as I continued.
"My dad always told me when I was younger that when a man finds a wife, he finds a good thing. I wasn't even looking, but I found you."
I saw tears beginning to well in her eyes, but I couldn't stop now. I had to finish what I came here to do.
"You're my wife, or at least I want you to be."
Asia gasped.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out the small velvet box I'd been carrying since the Monday after she made me that website. I hadn't planned to do this today—it was too soon, I knew that—but after last night and this morning, I couldn't wait any longer.
I opened the box, revealing the ring I'd spent hours selecting: a princess-cut diamond set in white gold, surrounded by smaller sapphires that reminded me of the energy she brought to everything she touched.
Asia stared at the ring, her lips parted in shock, frozen in place.