Page 117 of Can't Shoot Whiskey
My heart felt like it might crash through my ribs.I dropped to one knee before I lost my nerve, and the whole world seemed to stop.
“Erika,” I said, voice unsteady, “in front of all these people who matter…and in front of the ones behind you who saw what I was like without you—” I heard a rumble of agreement from them, the kind that said they remembered every dark, messy part of that time.“—which wasn’t good.I was going to wait until the hospital opened, but I’m not that patient.Not when I’ve finally got you back.Not this time.I?—”
“You’re monologuing,” she whispered, eyes shining.
I huffed out a shaky laugh, then pulled the ring box from my pocket.Dante’s help picking it out echoed in my mind.My hands shook as I opened it.
“You’re myalwaysand myforever.Will you marry me?”
Her answer cut through everything.“Yes.Of course.”She dropped to her knees and kissed me like the rest of the world had vanished.Then whispered, “It’s about time you got around to asking.”
I slipped the ring on her finger.
Vinny barreled into my side, squeezing tight.I felt arms wrap around my shoulders—my mom, my dad—and somewhere behind me, my teammates roared like we’d just won the World Series.
And maybe I had.
