Chapter Thirty-Three
We win the home opener, which is fantastic. Then we go on to win two on the road.
It’s a great start to the season.
Yeah, life is good.
With Willa and me, things are amazing. We fall in love with each other a little more each day.
Which brings me to my latest thought—I want to ask her to marry me.
I know we haven’t been together for years or anything, but when it’s right, you just know.
Why wait?
Also, I’d like to make a commitment like that to her.
I want to be engaged.
We don’t have to rush into a wedding right away. In fact, it’d be better if we wait until the offseason next summer. Then we can really go big. Or small. Whatever she wants, I’m on board.
I just want her to be my fiancée for now.
In order to get things rolling, like buy a ring, I need to talk with someone who knows her best. That’s why I’m meeting Shay for lunch today.
We had to be sly to set up this outing without Willa finding out and wondering why. Luckily, she has a meeting with a new florist today. Shay doesn’t have any appointments till later this afternoon.
Me? The team just had a light morning practice since we have a home game tonight.
After I showered and dressed down at the arena, I headed straight over to the restaurant. It’s a casual place, but there are a lot of private booths. I chose one of those, and now I’m just waiting for Shay to arrive.
I have a clear view of the entrance, so when she walks in, I wave her over.
She waves back, then comes over and sits down opposite me in the booth.
“Sorry I’m a couple of minutes late,” she says. “I had trouble finding a parking spot.”
“No worries,” I tell her. “I got lucky. Someone was leaving just as I arrived.”
Unfortunately, this particular restaurant has on-street parking only, so finding a spot, especially at lunch or dinnertime, can be a challenge.
“So…” Shay folds her hands on the table in front of her. “What did you want to talk with me about? Your text sounded urgent. There’s nothing up with Willa, is there? I mean, I talked to her this morning, and she seemed fine.”
After I first met Shay, Willa insisted we exchange numbers, mainly in case of an emergency or something where one of us would need to get ahold of the other. That lighthouse incident really scared my girl.
I don’t want to frighten Shay, though, so I’m quick to clarify, “No, Willa is great. And I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you. It’s just that I need your input on a few things.”
“Okaaay.”
She looks concerned still, so I add, “Truly, it’s nothing bad. It’s actually something very good.”
Blowing out a breath, she unfolds her hands and says, “Thank God.”
I really feel like a jerk for not expressing my intent better, so I apologize once again. Then a waitress arrives with the menus, so we take a break from the conversation and check out our options.
By the time we have our orders in—just a small Caesar salad for me and a mixed greens bowl for her—Shay appears to be much more relaxed.
“So,” I begin, “to get back to the reason why I wanted to meet with you, I’m going to get right to the point.”
She’s taking a sip of water, so she just nods lightly.
Releasing one big breath, I say in a rush of words, “I want to ask Willa to marry me.” Shay almost chokes on her water, and I ask, “Crap, that’s not a bad thing, is it? Sorry I shocked you.”
A dozen things run through my mind, and top of the list is that maybe Willa is against marriage.
Not in theory clearly, as she has a wedding business, but maybe it’s not for her.
Crap, she may not want to marry me.
Shit, I’m spiraling here.
Shay, noting my now-panicked expression, clears her throat and waves her hand around. “No, no, it’s not bad at all. You just surprised me. Really, this is fabulous news.” Clapping her hands, she gushes, “Willa is going to be so happy, Shane. She loves you so much.”
Relieved, I smile and say softly, “I love her too. That’s why I want her to be my wife.”
Our salads arrive, so we take a break from our discussion to take a few bites.
After a minute, spearing a cherry tomato, Shay says, “So, what do you need my input on? Now I know the reason, but I’m still not sure what you’re wondering about.”
Holding up a finger to indicate that I need a sec, I swallow a bite of salad, then take a small sip of water.
Finally, I say, “First off, I need to know Willa’s ring size. Oh, and then I’m hoping you can tell me what type of ring she’d like.”
Shay scoffs. “Hell, we’re in the wedding planning business. And we’re best friends. I know exactly what her dream ring is.”
Smiling, I reply, “Perfect.”
Shay proceeds to tell me Willa’s ring size—seven—and what type of ring she’s always dreamed of.
Turns out, her ideal setting is a solitaire diamond in platinum. Something simple, but classic.
“I think she’d like a big-ass rock, though,” Shay reveals.
Laughing, I assure her, “That, I can do.”
I ask her about the proposal. Like, should I go big and all-out, or keep it more private.
“Truthfully,” she says, “I don’t think she’d like a lot of fanfare. Willa’s more of a low-key kind of girl when it comes to things like that. I think she’d be into a romantic dinner, maybe even one at home.”
“Ooh,” I reply, feeling excited as ideas pop into my mind.
“I can hire a private chef to make us a gourmet meal. Maybe we can eat out in the back. Our quiet spot is by the pool. I could have a table set up out there. Oh, and how about a ton of little fairy lights strung up all around? Do you think she’d like that? ”
Shay is smiling and nodding.
Softly, she says, “I think she’d love something along those lines.”
“Good, then it’s settled.” I blow out a breath. “Damn, I have a lot of work to do. I better get started. I’ll stop at one of the jewelers I know my teammates go to on the way home. And then I’ll look into a private chef.”
“I think you have it all worked out for now,” Shay says, laughing. She then adds, “Oh, and Shane?”
“Yes?”
“Congratulations.”