Page 51 of Apple of My Eye

I take a deep, steadying breath, filling my lungs with fresh air and the smell of apple blossoms. It’s May on the farm, and the trees are just starting to bud in bursts of white and pink.

Nick’s on his way back to meet me at our favorite spot on the ridge, the one that overlooks the valley, the one that makes the surrounding hills look like the back of sleeping dragons.

We’ve come a long way since our second meet cute at the Sausalito Farming Committee, the one orchestrated by my brother, who was hilariously wrong about how well we knew each other and totally right about how good for each other we were.

A first real date, a first hike, a first visit to his mom’s, and a first fostered puppy.

A first move, a first yard, and finally a first farm (even if it’s an old farm to me).

A first day breaking ground on a carriage house so his mom can come and stay whenever she wants, for as long as she wants to.

I pull a crumpled piece of paper out of my pocket to steady my beating heart.

Reasons Why I Want to Ask Nick to Marry Me

– He’s my best friend

– There will always be a pack of cinnamon gum around

– He knows how to apologize

– I love the way he sticks his hand into his back jean pocket

– I will never have to pretend to be interested in football

– I knew I applied for the wedding permits for the farm for a reason

– My excitement makes him more excited than anything he’s excited for on his own (even worms)

– I will never be able to live down not knowing that ‘How do you like them apples’ was a Good Will Hunting quote

– I know I love Nick Russo the same way I know the sun will rise and the apples will grow—like it was a foregone conclusion all along