Page 20 of Blind Date with a #Doctor (Love Canyon: Blind Date #3)

Carter

Six months ago, I asked Aspen to move in with me. She made me sweat for thirty seconds before smirking and saying, “I don’t know, Carter… I really love my bathtub.”

I had to bribe her with coffee, unlimited use of my shower, and the promise that I’d never complain about her excessive book-buying habits. She moved in the next weekend and in those six months, my house has gone from minimalist vibes to a cozy explosion of Aspen.

Which is exactly why I’m here tonight, at the bookstore where our story, getting ready to propose to the love of my life.

And if Nan, Sally, and Marie take full credit for it? Well. I’ll deal with that later.

Aspen thinks tonight is just another book club meeting. Which is why she’s currently sitting in a worn leather chair, drinking wine, and arguing with Kendra about whether the book’s hero was actually ‘book boyfriend material’ or just another emotionally unavailable idiot.

“I mean, come on,” Aspen groans, gesturing wildly. “He brooded for, like, three hundred pages and then suddenly decided he was in love on the last chapter?”

Kendra snorts. “You do realize you just described you and Carter, right, except you’re the broody one.”

Aspen freezes and I choke back a laugh.

Nan sips her wine smugly. “She has a point, dear.”

Aspen narrows her eyes. “I am nothing like—”

The lights suddenly dim and Nan stands up, dramatically clearing her throat. “Ladies,” she announces grandly. “Tonight’s theme is Grand Romantic Gestures.”

Aspen frowns. “Uh, that wasn’t in the group text.”

Marie smirks. “Maybe you should check again.”

Aspen pulls out her phone, eyes narrowing as she scrolls.

I stand up and her head snaps up immediately. Her lips part and she asks, “What are you doing here?”

“Aspen,” I say, heart hammering, stepping toward her.

Aspen is frozen in place, her wine glass still clutched in one hand, her entire face flushed. I reach her chair, taking the glass and setting it aside, lacing my fingers with hers instead.

I drop to one knee and the room goes silent.

Nan sobs into a tissue.

Aspen stares down at me, completely stunned.

“Aspen,” I say softly. “Six months ago, Nan locked us in this bookstore, and it was the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Nan nods aggressively, dabbing her eyes.

Sally sniffs. “Such a beautiful trap.”

I chuckle, keeping my gaze locked on Aspen. “You are stubborn, competitive, a little chaotic, and completely impossible.” I grin. “And I have never loved anyone more in my life.”

Aspen lets out a shaky laugh, pressing a hand to her mouth.

“I love you, Aspen. I love every part of you and I want forever. Not just the late nights and the easy mornings, but all of it.”

Her eyes shine.

I flip open the ring box, revealing the diamond ring I spent weeks picking out.

“Will you marry me, sweetheart?”

Silence stretches out between us and then Aspen sniffs loudly, blinking rapidly.

“Oh my God,” she chokes out, shaking her head. Then, without another word, she grabs my face, kisses me hard, and whispers against my lips, “Yes. A thousand times yes.”

Nan demands credit first. “You’re welcome, darling,” she says, squeezing Aspen’s shoulders. “You never would have found him without me.”

Sally grins. “Pretty sure it was our matchmaking skills that got this going.”

Marie smirks. “I was the one who suggested a locked bookstore situation.”

Aspen groans, burying her face in my shoulder.

I kiss the top of her head. “You love it.”

Aspen grumbles something, but she’s smiling.

And as I look around, at the people who love us, at the woman who just said yes to forever, at the life we’re building, I know one thing for certain.

No matter who did what to make Aspen mine, I won. I get to spend forever with Aspen Hayes.