I was getting to my feet just as the front door opened and Alice walked in. When she saw me, she smiled.
“Hey, Molly,” Alice said. “I didn’t know you were coming over today. How are things going?”
I smiled happily. “Good,” I said. “I can’t stay for too long, Alex said he’s actually going to cook dinner for me tonight.”
Rebecca burst out laughing. “You might want to have a backup plan,” she said. “I’m pretty sure that to Alex, ‘cooking’ means mac and cheese from a box and soup from a can.”
I shrugged. “I love mac and cheese,” I said honestly. “And besides, I love Alex. I think it’s sweet.”
Rebecca shook her head. “You’re hopeless,” she said. “But I’m glad you found happiness and somehow managed to change my asshole of a brother into a good man.”
I nodded. “It wasn’t on purpose,” I said.
“No, he’s totally transformed,” Rebecca said. She turned to Alice. “Alice, you wouldn’t believe this, but my brother used to be the biggest player in Rolling Hills.”
Alice snickered. “It’s not hard to imagine,” she said. She sat down next to Rebecca and started rubbing her back.
I nodded. “He was like that before, but not now.”
Rebecca rolled her eyes. “Speaking of family, are you coming to dinner this weekend? Mom is making a really big deal about it for some reason.”
“Yeah,” I said. “Alex told me he had a surprise for me, and that we’d go to your parents to celebrate.”
Rebecca blushed. “Cool,” she said. “I’m glad Mom finally came around.”
“Me, too.” When I’d first gotten together with Alex, his mother hadn’t exactly been…welcoming. But after a few months, when she realized I truly loved her son, she relaxed We weren’t super close, but I was enjoying building a relationship with her.
My phone buzzed and I pulled it out of my pocket. There was a text from Alex that read: “coming home soon? I have a surprise for u.”
I blushed. “I’ve got to get going,” I said. “I think Alex is starting dinner.”
Rebecca laughed. “If you get food poisoning and want us to bring you some soup later, let me know.” She stood up and hugged me. I waved to Alice, then grabbed my bag and headed outside. Alex’s shiny Mustang was parked on the curb and I grinned when I saw him.
“Hey,” Alex said. “I thought I’d offer you a ride home.”
I smiled happily. “Thank you,” I said. Climbing into the car, I leaned over and kissed him. As always, kissing Alex made my heart thump faster and my nipples stiffen with excitement.
Alex pulled away. “I have a surprise for you at home,” he said.
“You mentioned,” I said, flushing. “What is it?”
Alex laughed. “If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise!”
I grew anxious and excited as Alex drove across town. As soon as we stepped inside our condo, I gasped. The living room was filled with peonies – my favorite flower – and takeout from Spice Nation, my favorite Indian place, was set up at the table.
“This is better than your cooking,” I said, grinning. My stomach rumbled and I leaned over to kiss Alex.
“I’m glad you approve,” Alex said, raising an eyebrow. “Because there’s one other thing I want from you.”
“Oh yeah?” I blushed and bit my lip. “What?”
Alex dropped to one knee. When he pulled a small Cartier box from his pocket, I gasped.
“Molly Peters, will you make me the happiest man on earth by doing me the honor of becoming my wife?” Alex’s blue eyes shone with sincerity.
“Oh my god!” I squeaked. “Yes! Yes!”
Alex got to his feet and slid the beautiful diamond ring onto my finger. He pulled me into a close hug and kissed my neck. Tears of happiness welled up in my eyes and I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.