Page 109 of First and Forever

“That was overthrown and not a cat, Distefano.”

“I was on ice and saving feline lives, Cunningham.”

“There,” my dad said to Connor, nodding vigorously. “There’s the opening. Go.”

“What? Tony,” Connor said quietly, looking a little uncomfortable. “I don’t think—”

“Come on.” My dad lowered his voice, but everyone could still hear him. “Just say something like ‘Speaking of last names’—”

“Dad,” I interrupted, not sure what was happening but very sure I wanted him to shut up. “I’m sure Connor doesn’t need your help with…anything. Let the man be.”

“Well, I was going to do this in the green room afterward,” Connor said, giving my dad a pointed look. “Because on-camera seems a little heavy-handed, but my boy Tony here—”

“I like a big romantic gesture,” my dad said with a smile, utterly unapologetic. “Remember, I proposed at a tailgate like a true gentleman.”

The audience let out a collective gasp at the word “proposed,” and I was right there with them, my mouth dropping wordlessly.

Connor turned his eyes to me, his beautiful, blue, always-smiling eyes, and gave his head a shake. “You told me your dad couldn’t keep a secret and I didn’t listen.”

“See?” I said, my voice coming out as a croak. “He’s a sieve.”

I watched as Connor reached into the front pocket of his pants and pulled out a ring box. My heart thudded rapidly against my chest, and I suddenly forgot how to breathe. “Duffy Distefano, if you can ever forgive me for asking this question in such a public way, will you maybe consider spending the rest of your life with me?”

My hand found its way to my mouth and the tears pooling inmy eyes blurred his face from my vision. “I will absolutely maybe consider it.”

“What the hell kind of answer is that, Duff?” my dad said with a scowl.

“The only kind of answer I’d ever want,” Connor replied, eyes still on me as he opened the box. “Total Duffycore.”

I wiped my eyes and my heart felt like it might burst when I recognized the ring. “But—but it’s your grandma’s.”

“I know, without a doubt, that he’d want you to have it,” he said, his throat moving around a big swallow. “His cookie girl.”

We FaceTimed his grandpa every day, and even though things were getting progressively worse with his memory, there was one morning last year where Connor’s grandpa randomly called me “cookie girl,” a tiny spark of recognition that made both of us cry happy tears.

“Give the man a real answer, for the love of God, Duff,” my dad demanded.

That prompted the audience to start clapping and cheering.

I looked at the giant I loved, with his 9.63-inch hands and warm smile, and wondered how it was possible to be so happy.

“Yes, yes, yes, I want to marry you,” I said, laughing as tears blinded me again. “I’ve never wanted anything more. Make me your bride, Connor Cunningham, or lose me forever.”

“Don’t be a wiseass, Duff,” my dad scolded. “He might change his mind.”

Connor took out the ring and slid it onto my finger. “I will never,everchange my mind about Duffy.” He gazed at me so lovingly, it felt like we were the only ones in the room. “With you, it’s forever.”