Page 129 of Into the Storm

Tears tracked down her cheeks. She leaned forward and kissed him, then said, “Yes. Yes. Yes. I love you.”

He presented the ring box. “This was my grandmother’s ring. If you don’t like it, we’ll get you something you do like. I want you to love your ring because it’s yours, and not settle for something because it’s mine.”

She opened the box and let out a gasp. It wasn’t a traditional engagement ring—it had a sapphire in the center of six small diamonds—he knew it might not be to her taste. “Oh, Xavier. It’s beautiful. I love it.”

“It’ll probably have to be resized.” He slipped it on her finger, and thankfully, it was a little big. Resizing would be easy.

He returned to her side on the couch and held her as they gazed into the flames.

“Do you know what the first thing I ever heard you say was?”

“I asked Jae if I could use his shower.”

“Yes, but do you remember your actual words?”

“No.”

“You said you’d name your firstborn child after him if he let you use his shower.”

She laughed. “Oh my goodness! That’s right. And then you offered me yours and said I didn’t even have to name my baby after you.”

“Good thing too.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because I think I know the perfect name for Apple, and it’s not after me.”