That’s how you know it’s worth it.
- Mom
I put the letter down, casting a glance toward Dia, and find big teary eyes staring back at me. Her undoing tugs at my composure as I slip the letter back into its envelope.
“I promise,” she answers out loud, granting my mother’s wish.
Dia’s gaze shadows the motion as I tuck my hand into my pocket and reach for a velvet box, chewing on my bottom lip to contain the emotions trying to tear my walls down.
“Finn,” she gasps, and my name sounds heavenly on her lips.
“I went and bought this the day I got back into town,” I explain, opening the box and showing her the diamond engagement ring I’ve been carrying around for a while. “I knew from the second I saw you again that I’d marry you someday. You hated me and wanted nothing to do with me, but I couldn’t help myself. It’s you and me, Dia. There’s never been anyone else, and there never will be. Be with me. Marry me. Grow old with me. Please.”
I drive the box closer to her, the vessel in my chest beating double time. My baby’s crying so hard I’m surprised she’s even able to see as I rest the ring in the palm of my hand, revealing the words carved into it.
Everything but you.
“Diamond Mitchell… will you do me the honor of being the only person I don’t hate for the rest of my life?”
Dia’s silent for long seconds, the sniffling sounds she’s making snowballing into full sobs.
Say yes.
Say yes.
Say yes.
“Yes.” She makes me the luckiest man in the universe with a single word.
From there, I’m a goner. A tear rolls down my cheek as I slip the diamond ring around her finger and trap her into a suffocating hug. And, as crazy as it may sound, for a brief moment, I’m convinced that my mom heard us. I’m convinced that she was here, smiling down at us and calling me an idiot for all the time I wasted being afraid. And if she heard that…
Maybe she’ll hear this, too.
I’m taking your advice, Mom.
I’m never going to run from love again.
From now on…
I’m running toward it.