Page 80 of Roughing
“That’s correct, and I’ve decided to do something about it because your time’s up.”
“My time’s up for what?”
“You wanted a two-week break. I gave you three.”
“You did.” I stared down at the diamond again as the truth swirled around me. “This is real.”
“It better be for what I paid for it.” He chuckled, but his eyes were serious and filled with apprehension.
“Is this what I think it is?”
“Took you long enough.” Briggs dropped to one knee, and I let out a small scream of surprise.
“Michella.” He wrapped his hands around mine, enclosing the box within our fingers.
“Briggs, I—”
He stopped me with a shake of his head. My hands trembled beneath his.
“I know you think this is premature, but it’s not to me. I know what I want and who I want, and it’s you. I love you, Michella.”
My gaze met his. A profound calmness swept over me, bringing clarity with it. I knew my answer before he asked the question. My mom had once told me that when the right guy came along, I’d just know it. I’d known Briggs was my Mr. Right from the second I’d seen him, but I was the queen of denial. It’d taken me until this moment to realize how much he meant to me.
“Well?” Anxiety stiffened his body, and he gazed up hopefully.
I closed my eyes briefly, took a deep breath, and let it out. I met his gaze, and I broke into a wide smile. “I love you, Briggs. I may not have realized it until now, but I do love you.”
“Michella…”
“You can call me Mick.”
He broke into a wide grin. “Does that mean I’m family now?”
I shrugged, playing coy and waited for him to bring out the big guns and go for broke.
“Will you marry me? Doesn’t have to be this year or even in five years. Whenever you’re ready, I’ll be here waiting.”
“I—” My words caught in my throat as emotion overwhelmed me.
“We could have a long engagement, take our time, and do this right. I wanted to get the proposal part out of the way in order to get to the good stuff.”
“This is spontaneous, unexpected, and not the least bit rational, but I’m going to say yes. Yes, I will marry you.”
He pried the box from my hands and placed the ring on my finger. It fit perfectly. He rose to his feet and rested his hands on my waist. “It was the ring that did it, wasn’t it?”
“The ring is impressive, but you could’ve given me a plastic child’s ring and I’d have said yes.”
Our shared laughter warmed my soul and my heart.
EPILOGUE
~~Briggs~~
Almost a month later, Michella and I had settled into a comfortable routine. My life had done a one-eighty since last fall. The team would finish the season in a week with a losing record, but we’d improved greatly, and the future didn’t look so bleak. In fact, I was already excited for next year.
I’d spoken with the GM regarding my wishes to stay in Portland, and he was on board. So was Coach.
Michella and I were condo hunting. She’d made a list, of course, of the must-haves, nice-to-haves, and don’t-wants in a condo. Being city people, we wanted to live in Portland with a view of the Columbia River if possible.
