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“What?”
Sterling’s look was teasing. “I wanted to see my girlfriend. This is my second-longest relationship ever. Coming to see you after I got home from my super-successful tour—thanks to an excellent social media manager—was a given. Did you not expect me?”
Reese tried to make sense of this conversation. “Sterling, I’m not your girlfriend.”
He smirked. “When did we break up?”
“When you left me that morning ….” She thought back through their conversation in Santa Monica. He had not broken up with her. He walked away angry. But he had not said it was over. “I just assumed.”
Sterling made a clucking sound with his tongue. “You really shouldn’t assume things, girlfriend.”
She shook her head, trying to clear the muddled thoughts. His smile and close proximity were throwing her off. “But we—you—I thought. No. There is no way. That’s a technicality.”
“Sorry, Reese. But according to the rules of life, unless we break up, we are still together. I asked you to be my girlfriend. You said yes. We did not break up. Therefore, logic dictates that you are still my girlfriend. Sorry if that upsets you.”
Tears pricked her eyes. It did not upset her. But she was so overwhelmed that she didn’t even know how to respond to his flirtations and teasing. Maybe she just needed to flirt back. “You are the very worst boyfriend I have ever had,” she said.
His eyes seemed to light up. “I was hoping you’d say that! Or something like it. Really, I planned out like three options for this. All the bases covered. Wow. Listen to me ramble. I sound like you! Anyway, Reese, you need to stand up.”
“What?”
“Stand. Up. Please?”
Reese stood. At this point, she would do anything Sterling asked. He was here, in her apartment. He had come for her. Despite the silence between them since California, it felt like they were right back where they left off. She didn’t want to question it, or him. She wanted to follow him wherever he led.
Of course, that’s what got her in trouble in the first place with Sterling.
Lord, help! Strength, direction, guidance. Guard my heart and give me wisdom, please.
When Reese stood, Sterling got on one knee. It took her a moment to recognize the posture. Then her hands flew to her face. He could not be doing this. But even as her brain fought against believing it, her heart was singing.
“I know I’m the worst boyfriend ever. What would you think about changing titles? What would you say to letting me be your fiancé?”
Reese sputtered, staring down at him as he grabbed her hand in his, then pulled a ring box from somewhere. She barely glanced at the glittering stone inside. Her eyes were fixed on his. “But … what … you …”
“Reese Montgomery, I know that we have had the shortest and probably worst dating relationship of your life. I know that the last time we talked in person, I was horrible to you. I meant what I said in the letter—I am so incredibly sorry. Before you give your answer, I have a few more things to say. I’m sure this proposal would sound like a bad idea to most. But you know what? I don’t think so. I’ve been praying about this almost since the day you left. And your dad said yes. I flew to Texas and I asked him.”
Tears sprang to her eyes. “You asked my dad?”
“I did. Scariest moment of my life. Give me a packed stadium and a stage any day. I told him that you were a force of nature, which he agreed with. I explained how you won me over. How you fought with me about the most important things and pushed me to grow. You put me first, even when I didn’t deserve it. Reese, you have no idea the impact you had on my life. I want to tell you all about it. Have you still been praying for me?”
Reese nodded. Her prayer life had never been so good. She had only Sterling and her desperation to blame. She couldn’t speak through the tears that were turning quickly into something more serious. Happy, but serious. She nodded.
“Good. I’m glad. You know what else? I meant it when I said I had been praying for you.”
Reese could no longer hold back the sobs. She was so glad that Sterling had chosen the safety and quiet of her apartment to do this.
“You can’t fix me,” Sterling said. “I’m still a broken, hot mess. But I love you, Reese. I want to grow in faith and grow as a man right beside you. With you. I’ve had a lot of time to think about this and I’m sure. I love you. I want to wake up every morning to see you with your messy hair, your pajamas, and your beautiful face. I want to have you on tour with me, waiting in the wings. I want to build a home with you and come home to you. I want to have a teeny, tiny wedding and then spend the rest of that day being yours. Then I want to spend every single day being grateful that God gave me a second chance and that you did too. Reese, will you marry me?”
While he was talking, Reese had been praying for God to make the answer clear. She wanted this so much that she didn’t trust it. Sterling said all the things she wanted to hear. But doubts and fears rattled her. He was a famous rock star—what kind of life would this be? Could he really love her? He was new in his faith—was it genuine? Things moved too fast before—was she making the same mistake again?
As Sterling finished, Reese felt her fears and doubts suddenly disappear, like fog burning off in the sun. It felt like in place of every doubt or fear she’d had, God placed a sense of peace. The kind she had come to recognize as being from him. A verse popped into her head from one of the gospels: Peace I leave you; my peace I give to you. It was the confirmation she needed.
“Nothing would make me happier,” Reese said. “Yes, I will marry you.” The next thing she knew, Sterling had her in his arms, lifting her up and pulling her close. Staci and Moby appeared from somewhere and were hugging them and cheering and crying too.
Sterling pulled back just enough that Reese could see his face. “Did I say yes already?”
“You did. And I won’t let you take it back. I know I was the very worst boyfriend ever, but I promise that I will be the very best fiancé and husband you’ve ever had.”
