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“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to bring it up. I just... Want to make sure you’re okay, is all.”

“I am. I have good days and bad days, but for the most part, I’m feeling better about everything. It’s not like I can change it, so what’s the point in dwelling on it?”

“I guess that’s true.” She thinks over my words for a long moment.

“I have something to tell you, but I’m worried about what you’re going to think.” Something about the way she looks at me has me feeling pretty sure I know exactly where this is going.

“You’re pregnant,” I blurt.

“What? No.” She shakes her head with a laugh.

“Then what?”

“Promise you won’t say anything until I’m ready to tell everyone.”

“Of course.” I stop walking, feeling like I need to be standing still for this.

“Kai proposed.”

“What?” I squeal so loud my voice carries across the open space.

“Last night.” She nods, failing to fight the smile threatening to split her face in half.

“And... What did you say?”

“Yes. Duh.” She laughs.

“Did he give you a ring?” I search her left hand for one, but there’s nothing.

“He did. It’s stunning.”

“Then why aren’t you wearing it?”

“Because I feel like I need to tell my parents before it becomes public knowledge.”

“I get that.” I smile, taking her hand and squeezing it tightly. “How do you feel?”

“So happy that I’m afraid I might explode.” Her eyes glass over with unshed tears, tears of happiness if I had to wager a guess.

“I’m so happy for you, Ly. Truly. There isn’t a person on this planet who deserves to be happier than you do.”

“Well, I don’t know about that...” She shakes her head. “I just... I never pictured this as the turn my life would take. That night, when I sat down on that couch and met Kai’s stare, it changed everything, and even now, I simply can’t wrap my head around it.”

“Life is funny like that. One minute, you think you know what to expect, and then bam, you hit a roadblock you couldn’t see until you were smashing face first into it.”

“River?” She guesses.

“I never saw myself settling down. Commitment was the furthest thing from my mind. All I wanted was to live the full college experience. Hook up with random guys, drink too much, make all sorts of mistakes. Instead, look at me.” I hold my armsout. “A one-man woman. Who would have thought it?” I snort out a laugh.

“Monogamy looks good on you,” she tells me with a grin.

“And engagement looks damn good on you,” I say back. “Lyric Elliot. It has a certain ring to it.”

“It does, doesn’t it.” She loops her arm through mine as we resume walking.

“I need you to do me a favor and tell River before anyone else because if I have to keep this to myself for very long, I might be the one exploding.”

“I’m going to tell him this weekend when he comes to see you.”