Ready or Not (Ready #4)(83)

She was quiet as we waited for the car to be pulled around. I could almost see the thoughts swirling around in her head as she wondered what the hell had just happened.

In that one second when Declan had spilled the beans about Liv knowing my intentions to propose, everything had come together for me.

It wasn’t the moment or the place—it was about who would be there to celebrate it with us.

But how could I orchestrate that many people and keep Liv out of it?

Give her the worst almost proposal of her life.

Everything I knew she’d hate, I’d given her tonight. Liv was simple, earthy, and one of the most carefree people I knew. Stuffy restaurants and grand gestures were great and romantic for some, but Liv needed something less grandiose.

That was where our family and friends came into play.

As Liv and I had been away, having dinner and not getting engaged, the gang had been busy setting up a backyard proposal that would blow Liz away.

There would be candlelight, flowers, and not a bit of baby’s breath for miles.

I was the master of proposals. After tonight, even Declan would have to acknowledge it.

Liz and I held hands on our way back to the house, and I brushed my thumb over the spot where her ring would sit in just a few short minutes. I couldn’t wait to place it there and see it exactly where I knew it belonged since the moment I’d seen it.

From the outside of our houses, everything appeared normal and just as boring as any other Saturday night. As I took her hand and pulled her down the path to the fence separating the two houses, she began to see the first flicker of candlelight.

“What is that?” she asked.

“You’ll see.”

We walked farther, and as we rounded the corner to the backyard, it was me who gasped in surprise.

Pink flamingos encompassed nearly every inch of the border of the fence, creating a vibrant pink outline. Big boldly colored balloons were tied to everything, and potted plants were everywhere.

“What the hell?” I said, seeing the faces of our friends and family smiling back at us.

We entered the backyard, and Liv turned to me.

“See, your first mistake was trusting that the blabbermouth over there would keep your secret.” She grinned, pointing at Declan.

He had his arms wrapped around Leah. He gave me an apologetic look and then laughed.

“You mean, you knew that I wasn’t going to propose the entire night?”

“Yep.”

“Damn,” I said. “I’ve been duped.”

“You know how much I like to win.” Her hands rested in mine as she dropped to one knee. “And there is no greater prize than you, Jackson. I never expected that I’d be here, in a moment like this, ready to share my heart and soul with another. You showed me that love isn’t about giving up any part of yourself. It’s about sharing the best and worst of yourself and trusting that the person will love you through it all. Will you share your life with me?”

I kissed her softly, then kneeled down before her, as I reached into my pocket to pull out the ring that I’d been dying to give her for over a month since I’d first laid eyes on it.

“Only if you share yours with me,” I answered, opening the box.

Tears cascaded down her cheeks as her fingers touched the smooth metal.

“Will you marry me, Liv?”

“Yes,” she managed to say through the tears.

I slipped the ring onto her finger. Everyone in the backyard clapped and cheered.

Hands wrapped around us as Noah joined in on our tight hug.

Sometimes, what you needed in life was waiting for you where you’d least expected it. Sometimes, it was right next door.

Now that I had Liv, I knew everything I’d ever need was already in my arms. Nothing else mattered.

“So, where are we going to live?” Noah asked, poking his head out to look back and forth between the two houses.

Okay, so, sometimes, some things mattered.

We’d figure it out eventually.

~Liv~

“Liv, you look beautiful,” Mia said, standing behind me as we both looked at my reflection staring back at us.

I looked like a bride—sort of.

Forgoing tradition, I’d chosen a simple bohemian-style dress in blush rather than white. The soft pink lace reminded me of vintage lingerie, so delicate and soft. It gathered above my natural waist with an ivory-colored sash, and it flowed gracefully to the floor.

It was the only dress I’d tried on. When I’d stepped into the tiny consignment store days earlier, I’d known the minute the woman brought it out that it was exactly what I had been looking for.

“Let’s touch up your hair,” Leah suggested, adjusting the crown of flowers she’d placed there minutes before. She sniffled and quickly dabbed her eyes.

“Are you getting misty-eyed, Leah?” I asked.

“No,” she answered swiftly. “Allergies. I’m sure of it.”

“Okay.”

I gave Mia a sideways glance, and we both smiled. Signaling to Mia, I rounded my hand and moved it over my belly. Then, I looked back to Leah. She snorted in response.

“I am not pregnant!” she said, obviously catching the silent conversation between Mia and me. “Well, I mean…not much. Just a little,” she amended.

We all looked at her, dumbfounded, and she crossed her arms in front of her.