Page 52 of It’s A Win for Me (Making The Catch #1)
AMELIA
SIX MONTHS LATER
“I haven’t been here in what feels like forever.” I step onto Manhattan Beach, the soft white sand slipping between my toes, cool and comforting. The light breeze brushes my skin, and memories as a teenager rush in with every crashing wave.
“Let’s find a good spot.” Maya says, looping her arm through mine.
Tia’s ahead of us, rubbing her baby bump, which has grown so much over the past month. Between pregnancy classes with Amir and getting their baby girl Leah’s nursery ready, she’s been more than occupied.
But tonight, we all finally had the chance to get together and have dinner. We wanted to catch the sunset, and what better place to witness it than at the beach? The saltwater in the air and the sounds of waves gently rolling?
The perfect evening.
Once we walk further onto the beach my heart flutters seeing a glimpse of a marriage sign.
“Oh my god,” I whisper-yell to Tia, tugging my light pink sweater tighter around me. “Get back over here. Someone’s about to get proposed to, let’s wait a few minutes.”
“You’re right, someone is.”
A sultry voice drifts behind me through the cool air. I whirl around, breath catching, to see Caleb standing there looking all handsome in a white button-down shirt and black dress pants.
Maya and Tia squeal as they speed walk away from us and my brows furrow, confused mixed with excitement.
He steps forward, taking my face in his hands and kisses me. “Hi, pretty girl.”
My eyes flutter. “What are you doing here? I thought you had a meeting?”
“Change of plans.” He says, taking my hand and leading me further down the beach.
The sand is scattered with rose petals arranged in a heart shape at the center, surrounded by LED candles. Nearby, marquee letters glow boldly with the words: Marry Me?
“Oh my,” I inhale sharply, covering my mouth with my hand as I take it all in, my vision blurring as tears fill to the brim. “Caleb.”
He takes my now shaky hand, leading me toward the center of the heart and I glance up at the setting sky. Golden with purple hues.
Lowering himself onto one knee, I gasp again. He reaches into his pocket, pulling out a small black velvet box.
Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. Is this really happening?
“Loving you has been the greatest privilege of my life, and I can’t imagine spending it with anyone else.” His voice softens, tender and sincere.
My cheeks grow wet as tears spill out, and then he flips the box open, revealing an elongated cushion cut ring that leaves me speechless.
It’s the exact ring I pinned to a forgotten Pinterest board years ago.
“I want to love you in every way I know how and make you the happiest woman in the world.”
He already has for as long as I’ve known him.
“You have my heart, and I don’t ever want it back.” His voice cracks, barely above a whisper. “You are my home. My best friend. My everything.”
A soft sigh slips past my lips as my chest tightens. This is happening. This is real.
“Amelia Cruz-Taylor.” He holds up the ring, his hand trembling. “Will you please marry me?”
My shaking hand shoots out as my heart pounds against my ribs. “Yes! A million times yes!”
His eyes shine as he slides the ring into its place…the one that had always been reserved for him.
The second it’s on, I yank him up and grasp his face, tears streaming down my cheeks. “I love you so much.”
Loving him has been the easiest thing I’ve ever done.
He leans down and kisses me in a way that steals my breath away.
Our crazy group of friends rushes out from the beach deck, shouting congratulations as they approach. Marcus and Amir pull Caleb aside, slapping him on the back, and a smile blooms across my face. Then my girls rush over to me, eyes fixed on the ring, gasping in surprise.
“It’s gorgeous,” Tia shrieks.
“Oh my God.” Maya leans down so close to my hand, squinting at the diamond. “I can see my reflection through this thing.”
Once we all finish chatting, our friends slowly drift away, giving us a moment of privacy.
“You know, I’ve always chased my dreams, running toward the next goal.” Caleb gently grasps my wrist, pulling me closer. “But now I can stop, because I’ve finally reached my destination.”
Tears threaten to fall again as he cups my face, sweeping his thumb across my cheek.
“Because that destination has always been you.”