Page 110 of A Million Times, Yes

Jordan:Lol.

Me:At least give me a range of when I should expect something to happen so I’m not out wandering or shopping or guzzling beer at the bar down the street.

Jordan: 2pm.

Me:Finally! Thank you.

“Maya, I think there’s someone at the door for you,” Emily shouted.

While I stood in the back of my bedroom, looking through my closet to decide what to bring on this trip, the destination and weather still unknown, I checked the time on my phone. It was ten minutes before two. I shoved my cell into my pocket and rushed to the door. Emily was there, holding it open for Bruce.

Jordan’s driver had a fairly large rectangular box in his hands that he was holding in my direction. “For you, Maya.”

The moment it was in my possession, he turned around to leave.

“Bruce, wait,” I called out. “Where are you going?”

He smiled at me from over his shoulder. “You’ll find outsoon.”

“Soon!” I looked at Emily. “So help me God, if I hear that word one more time ...”

“Soon, I think, is finally coming to an end,” she squealed.

Bruce laughed as Emily shut the door, and I heard her follow me through the apartment and into my room, standing in the doorway as I sat on my bed.

“I’m dying right now,” she said. “Hurry. Open it.”

The box was gold leaf, the texture of it was speckled—not wrapping paper, this was the material the box was made of—and I lifted the lid, setting it down to grab the small envelope inside. My name was written on it in tall, thin, all-capital letters—Jordan’s handwriting.

My Maya,

I thought long and hard about where I wanted to take you on our first vacation. Did I want to show you my favorite mountains or dip you in my favorite ocean? Did I want to spend the trip exploring every inch of the beautiful outdoors? Ordid I want to give you the quietness and relaxation you don’t get at home?

I’m not going to tell you yet what I chose.

But what I’m going to tell you is when I get to hold you, I want you to be wearing this ...

(open the box beneath this)

Love,

Jordan

“What’s the note say?” Emily asked.

I handed it to her, my stomach a mess of excitement as I took out a small box from the nest of tissue paper and slowly removed the lid. “Ah,” I gasped as my eyes fell upon the diamond necklace, my hand immediately going over my mouth. “Emily, oh my God.” As she took a seat next to me, I pulled out the dainty silver chain, setting it on my palm, lowering my other hand from my lips to hold the large round solitaire that hung from the center. “I cannot believe what I’m seeing right now.”

“Babe, it’s stunning. I can’t wait to see how it looks on you. Give it to me, I’ll put it on you.”

As my eyes unexpectedly filled with tears, I handed her the jewelry, moving my hair out of the way so she could clasp the chain behind my neck, the cold stone landing in the center of my collarbone.

Emily turned my shoulders so that I was facing her. “There are not enough words to express how gorgeous it looks on you.”

“He loves my collarbone. It’s one of his favorite spots on my body. I bet anything that’s why he got me a necklace.” I gave her a weepy smile and walked over to the full-length mirror on the inside of my closet door, my reflection one I barely recognized. “I’ve never worn anything this beautiful in my life.”

“He seriously couldn’t have picked out anything more perfect for you.” She held up the box and reached inside. “Come back, there’s another card in here for you to open.”

I’d been so shocked by the sight of the second box, I hadn’t even noticed there was an additional envelope. I returned to the bed and peeled back the top flap, taking out the card from inside.