Page 181 of Happily Never After

“I knew the only way to distract you long enough to plan everything was to let you think you were planning something for me. Incidentally, it worked.”

“You’re such an ass.”

He shrugged. “So. My legs are falling asleep here. Claire Aurora Hartley—Jesus, I didn’t even ask the question yet.”

Tears had sprung into Claire’s eyes the second he said her full name. She sniffed them back and composed herself. “Sorry, go ahead.”

“Claire Aurora Hartley. You drive me absolutely insane. You work too much, you bend over backward for people, and you love so fiercely. You inverted my entire world when I broke into your apartment and found you singing to your dog.”

“So you admit it! You did break in!” she cried.

He ignored her. “Somewhere down the line, between the arguing, cheating at video games, trips to Paris and the beach, I fell in love with you. And with your crazy family—don’t even get me started on Jack, he took two full weeks to give me his blessing.” He searched the crowd for Jack, who lifted a martini in a toast.

Sothatwas why he had been so extra anti-Jack.

“Meanwhile, when I asked Roy and your mom, I didn’t even get the full question out before they said yes. Anyway, we’ve been through more than most couples go through in an entire lifetime. We’re partners in everything. I’ve never met anyone like you, someone who creates joy for a living and adopts special needs dogs and tasers bad guys like it’s nothing. I love you, Claire.”

He paused and gestured behind them. She looked where he pointed. Across the highway, on top of the overlook where she used to watch movies with her mother, were several glowing letters. They were arranged to spell out “Marry me?”

“So,” Luke said, drawing her attention back to him. “What do you think? Be my wife?”

He reached one hand into his pocket and pulled out a small box. He opened it, but she didn’t even glance inside. Her heart was so full it might actually explode. She lifted her gaze and took in the moment. She wanted to remember every second of this day for the rest of her life. Friends and family stared at her,excitement glistening in their eyes. Warmth and love emanated from every direction. There was no fear, no danger. Just one perfect moment with the promise of forever.

Mindy gestured at Luke and raised her eyebrows. Oh, right. He was still waiting for an answer.

“Yes.” Her throat was so choked with emotion she could barely get the word out. She nodded emphatically.

Luke slid the ring on her finger and pulled her straight off the grass. He twirled her around and around. They spun under the star-strewn sky, just like they had in Paris, and in the parking lot of the hospital where she had fallen into a trashcan and he had said “I love you” for the first time. If he kept going, she might vomit all down his back and ruin the moment.

He set her on her feet, and she kissed him. She listed slightly to the left, but at least she didn’t fall over. They broke apart, and she finally remembered to glance down at her hand. A massive three-carat cushion cut stone with a diamond halo was perfectly sized and nestled on her ring finger. It looked like it had been made for her. And it was so much better than a beer bottle cap.

She took another look at the people who surrounded them. Her entire extended family smiled at her. Kyle was jumping and screaming. Nicole was snapping pictures. Mindy and Sawyer were making out. Brianna and Charlie had video cameras pressed to their faces.

She kissed Luke again. He pulled her into his arms, and she breathed in his comforting scent. She was surrounded by the people she loved. Everyone was safe, and she had found her soulmate in the unlikely form of a grumpy documentary director who could master the hell out of a proposal.

All in all, the future was looking as bright as the diamond on her finger.