Page 117 of Beneath Your Beautiful

“You already said yes to anything.”

Huh. Me and my big mouth. I grabbed my clothes and retreated into the bathroom to get dressed and do my makeup. Dressed and ready in a silky jade green dress with an open back, I gave myself a onceover in the mirror before I joined Killian in the bedroom. He was lounging on the bed, doing something on his phone. He was wearing the white linen button-down shirt I loved on him, with dark jeans and a newer version of his old combat boots.

He stood and erased the distance between us. “You look gorgeous.”

“So, do you.”

He dropped down on one knee in front of me, and it didn’t matter that I’d spoiled the surprise. This was a huge surprise. I hadn’t expected anything so traditional, but here he was, taking my hand in his as he knelt in front of me. I could barely see him through my tears.

“I love you, Eden. All your crazy ideas. Your optimism. Your stubborn determination. Your stellar driving skills…we’ll work on them. Doesn’t matter. I love you just as you are. You’re my home,” he said softly. “Will you marry me?”

You’re my home. I put my hand over my heart and tried to swallow past my tears. God, that was beautiful. I nodded, incapable of speech. “Yes,” I said, my voice barely a whisper. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

He slid the ring on my finger and then he was on his feet, his hands cradling my face, his thumbs brushing away my tears.

Fifteen minutes later, I was still living on cloud nine, and couldn’t stop looking at my engagement ring—an emerald, surrounded by sparkly diamonds. It was perfect.

“How did you pick this ring?” I asked.

“If you want a diamond, we can take it back—”

“No! I love it. It’s perfect.”

I looked out the window as he pulled into a parking space a block from the bar. “I thought we were going to dinner at our little French place.”

“We have time for one drink.” He guided me down the street, texting while we walked. I still worked at Trinity Bar, but I worked day shifts now. When Zeke bought out Killian’s share, he and Louis made a few changes. One of them had been to open the bar during the day. Zeke and I were still good friends, and he had helped Killian put together a five-year business plan, as well as putting him in touch with foundations that helped him get grants for his at-risk-youth program.

Killian ushered me inside the bar, and it took me a minute to process what was going on. When I did, I was on the verge of happy tears again.

“Killian.” I covered my mouth with my hands.

He smirked at me. “Surprise.”

Ha! He got one over on me, not an easy feat. All our friends were gathered at the bar—Louis, Zeke, Chris, Brody, Hailey, Ava, Jared, Connor…even Daniel was here.

I stared at everyone, speechless.

“So why are we all here?” Connor asked.

“Uh, duh,” Ava said. “You didn’t see the rock on her finger?”

It was the most Ava had said to Connor in eight months, and the only time they’d been in a room together. Connor shot her a look, but she studiously ignored it, and carried on talking to Hailey. He shook his head and pulled me into a hug, congratulating me.

When he released me, I gave him a soft smile which he returned. We’d been through so much together and we’d gotten so close over these past months. Connor was like a brother to me now. I just wanted him to be happy, but it wasn’t that easy. He was still working on rebuilding the trust he’d destroyed. My history with him didn’t reach back as far as it did for Killian and Ava, so I guess it was easier for me to believe in him than it was for them.

“Love you, girl,” Connor said.

“Love you too.”

Connor gave me another hug and Louis pressed a glass of champagne into my hand.

The rest of the night was a blur of music, champagne, tacos, and everyone telling stories about how they were the ones responsible for getting us together.

Hours later, I was toasting Hailey who had just landed her dream job in San Francisco where the head chef was a woman. “Here’s to making our dreams come true,” I said.

“I’ll drink to that.”

We clinked glasses and drank to that. I downed the rest of my champagne and set my empty glass on the bar.