Page 60 of Crave Me
Time freezes. “Joey,” I manage to whisper.
He takes my hand. “Milo, beautiful, you’ve made me happier than I ever could have imagined. Your kindness and your open heart inspire me every day. I didn’t think I was a person who got to be happy like this, with a boyfriend who cares for me, friends who surround us with love, but it’s true. You’re the future I want, Milo. Will you marry me?”
Tears are running down my cheeks. For a second, I just stare Joey in the eye, all the words escaping me. Then I throw myself forward and tackle him, covering his face and his bare chest with kisses. “Yes, Joey. Yes. Oh my god, of course, yes.”
Joey laughs and kisses me back. “Fuck yeah,” he says. “You’re going to be my husband.”
We’ve talked about this a few times, and I know it’s something we both want, but I didn’t expect a proposal now. I thought we might take our time, since we’re already living together, but now that Joey’s slipping the ring onto my shaky hand and telling me how much he loves me, I can’t imagine waiting another day.
My heart sings as I look at the ring and notice a band of flowers, engraved delicately along the metal. “Joey, this is perfect.”
He grunts, pleased. “I thought you’d like it. And hey, no rush for the wedding. If you want to wait until you’re done with school—”
“Absolutely not,” I laugh. “We’ll figure out the date later, but I don’t want to wait. I’m ready to be your husband, like, yesterday.”
Joey smiles to himself. “Good.”
My mind is racing. “Wow. Wow, wow, wow,” I laugh. “I can’t wait to tell Matty and Ayla.”
Joey stands, then offers me his hand, pulling me up with him. “Actually, I hope you don’t mind. I invited everyone over later.”
I blink. “Over here? Wait, do they know?”
Joey chuckles. “No way. Matty can’t keep a secret, you know that.”
I laugh. “Yeah, that’s true.”
“I just texted this morning to invite them, didn’t say what for. And I got vegetables and burgers for the grill, waiting in the garage fridge. It’s all taken care of, so you don’t have to do a thing. Just keep smiling like that, and I’ll take care of the rest.”
I squeeze his hand, grinning like a fool. “And what if I hadn’t said yes?”
Joey tightens his brow. “Was there any chance you wouldn’t?”
I laugh. “Well, no.”
“Good,” Joey grunts. “Didn’t think so.”
He takes me in his arms, and we kiss again, the scent of flowers and grass and summer in the air. He pulls my body close and presses his forehead to mine while his fingers sink into my side. “I love you, Milo. I’ll always love you.”
“I love you, Joey,” I say, and the flowers around us continue to bloom.
The end
