Epilogue
T wo years later.
My stomach is swirling. I wrote a freaking book. I still can’t believe it, honestly. Uncrossing my legs under the low table that Emily set up for me, I bump my knee.
“Shit,” I mutter, but my smile doesn’t fade.
I’m ecstatic.
As I scan the room, I notice a mix of familiar faces, their warm smiles providing a sense of comfort, and a few unfamiliar ones that I have yet to meet. I place the cap back on the tip of my pink sparkly gel pen, and I stand. I glance at my watch and wonder where Ben is.
I moved into Ben’s two-bedroom apartment last year. We’ve been inseparable since the night of Lucy’s gala. Between Ben, the book, and my job at Lace & Dots, I feel like I really am living my best life. I’m incredibly relieved that I took risks and listened to that fortune cookie, ultimately finding my fate.
There’s a stir at the door, and I swiftly spin to my left to see what the commotion is all about.
There he is.
My guy.
Ben.
And there it is. The famous yellow box that brought us together. Seriously, without those donuts, who knows what would have happened. Ben is carrying a small yellow box.
He’s so sweet, always thinking about me. My eyes drift from the box in his hands up towards the wide smile that spreads across his face. His gaze is intense, focused on me as he walks towards me.
I watch him for what feels like forever. My heart beating fast. Those butterflies still find their way into my chest when our eyes meet.
“Ben, I thought you would have been here by now.” I walk around the table, ready for the bear hug that I’ve grown accustomed to. That, and a sweet peck from those soft lips I love so much.
His smile reaches his eyes and his forehead crinkles. “You know I wouldn’t miss this for the world, Sof.” His hug is brief, and it leaves me wanting more.
I back up and my eyes trail down to that bright yellow box.
“I’m sorry I’m a bit late,” he continues. “I had to pick up a little something.” He nods at the box in his hands.
I back up towards the table where I have been signing books for the last hour, and rest my hip on the edge.
“That’s okay, Ben. I’m glad you’re here now.”
“I’m so proud of you, Sof. You are such an amazing woman. The last two years have been a dream, and I’m so happy you’re mine.” I watch as he takes a step back. I can tell he’s not finished his thought. He’s looking up towards the ceiling as if trying to de-clutter the words in his head. He always does this when it’s something important.
I wait patiently, my heart skipping a beat as Ben slowly gets down on one knee.
What in the cheese and crackers?
My hands spring to my cheeks, where I can feel heat pooling at the surface of my skin. Ben is on one knee, and I can’t believe what’s about to happen. Remaining silent, I smile, and wait for him to unscramble his thoughts.
I watch as he lifts the top of the small yellow box, and I gasp.
“Sofia, being with you makes me happier than I have ever been. I love waking up to you every morning, and I love the way you nestle into my neck when we cuddle and watch TV at night. I am so proud of everything you have accomplished on your own, letting me be here by your side, rooting for you every step of the way. I will always support all your dreams. But right now, I’d love for you to make one of my dreams come true.” He looks down at the box he’s holding and removes the rest of the lid until I can see inside. In bright pink marker, written on the inside of the box is, “I donut want anyone else but you. Will you marry me?”
“Yes! Yes! Yes!” I exclaim loudly, forgetting where I am.
Ben is back up on his feet, closing the distance between us. I see it then, sparkling in the light. A small oval diamond glistening on top of a yellow gold band propped up on top of a raspberry sprinkled donut.
Ben takes the ring off of the donut after sitting the box on the table beside us. I hold up my left hand, waiting for the ring to meet my finger, and watch in awe as it slides on so elegantly.
I wrap my arms around his neck, and we kiss as if no one is there. I hear Lucy yelp behind me, and suddenly voices and clapping fill the air, and I’m brought back down to earth.
I pull away from Ben and look him in the eye.
“I love you, Ben.”
“I love you too, Sof.”