Page 67 of Espresso Your Love
I spend way too long standing in front of my closet trying to decide which dress is fancy enough for tonight. After texting options to Ashley, I finally choose a deep-burgundy dress with some strappy heels. I check my reflection one last time just as there’s a knock at the door.
The door swings open to reveal a dashing Ryan and Max on the porch. Ryan is wearing a dark suit and tie. Max even has a bowtie on. Ryan’s eyes travel down my dress.
“Wow…you look…stunning, Cassie.” He steps inside and kisses my cheek.
“Thank you.” I blush under his gaze. “You look very handsome, both of you. I love that Max is matching you.”
I lean down and scratch Max’s chin. “You look so cute.”
He offers me an arm, which I take, and we walk to his truck. We drive through the town, arriving right outside of town square. Ryan opens the door for me then Max, and we walk together. When we turn the corner into the town square, I stop in my tracks.
The entire square is covered in twinkling lights, and candles line the walkway leading up to the gazebo. Ryan leads us down the path. As we reach the gazebo, I gasp. In the center, there’s a bistro-style table set for two. It’s adorned with linens and candles.
“This looks beautiful.” I look at Ryan in shock. “You did this?”
“With some help from our fellow Meadowbrookians. Do you like it?”
“Yes, I love it,” I whisper, my hand over my heart.
“I wanted tonight to be special.” He pulls out my chair for me to sit.
“Every moment I spend with you is special,” I tell him softly.
Ryan grins at me as he sits across the table. “I feel the same, Cassie.” I can’t help the blush from spreading across my cheeks.
A server appears, filling our glasses and bringing us our meal. We reminisce over our first meeting, since he tried to recreate it this morning, and a few of our favorite memories since he came to town. After dessert, Ryan stands and offers his hand.
“Dance with me?”
“There’s no music.”
He pulls out his phone, and a classic song begins to play. He holds out his hand again.
“Cassie Thompson, will you dance with me?”
“I would love to.” I take his hand, and he pulls me in close to him. We sway back and forth to the soft music in the background.
“I’m glad we got to be together tonight.” His breath dances along my neck.
“Me too.”
He squeezes me tightly. “I’ve missed you this week.”
“I know, I’m sorry. I’ve been swamped and—”
He stops me. “Don’t apologize. Work for both of us has been crazy. I was merely saying I missed you.”
“I missed you too.”
“I hated being apart so much. I don’t want to be away from you for another weekend…or even a day.”
“I feel the same way too, Ryan.”
He stops swaying then and pulls away slightly. His eyes meet mine, and they are so intense, I can barely breathe. “Then let’s make sure we don’t have to be.”
He gently takes my hand, pulling something from his pocket at the same time. He drops down to one knee, and suddenly, it all clicks.
“Cassandra Thompson, will you marry me?” He holds a velvet box open with the most beautiful diamond ring I’ve ever seen.
