Page 91 of Mr. Edwards

“Hey, baby. How’s the camping trip going? Oh hi, sweetie,” she says when Carlee brings her head closer.

“Hi, Janelle.”

“Have you done it? Is that why you’re calling?” I can hear the excitement in my mother’s voice as she speaks.

“Done what?” Carlee asks.

“Hold this,” I say to her, passing over my cell.

“Oh my God, he’s doing it,” my mom shrieks, and Granny’s face appears on the screen. “Kaitlin, quick, come here. Run.”

Jesus, what the hell was I thinking calling them first? I should’ve waited until afterward. I hope they don’t give it away before the words have even left my mouth.

I reach for Carlee’s left hand, her right arm is extending out to the side, so the other three women in my life, can witness what I’m pretty sure is going to be one of my most momentous days going forward.

“Fuck-a-duck, he is,” Granny chimes in as I slide my hand into my pocket and maneuver down onto one knee.

I hear a loud ear-piercing squeal from the other end of the phone, I’m not sure if it comes from my mom or my sister. When I glance up at the sweet girl standing before me, I find her eyes wide and her pretty mouth gaping open.

I give her what I hope is a reassuring smile. I had an entire speech planned, but I can’t remember any of it, so instead I speak from my heart and pray it’s enough.

“Carlee,” I say, clearing my throat when I hear the crack in my voice.Why am I suddenly so emotional?“I feel like I’ve waitedmy entire life for you.” When I see tears rise in her eyes, I swallow thickly. “I know we’ve only been together for six months, and some may say this is too soon to make this type of commitment, but I knew from that very first moment, you were something special. I love you more than I ever thought possible. You’re it for me, and the only thing I need in this world to be happy.” I hold the platinum, five-carat, round brilliant-cut, halo diamond ring out in front of me.

“Oh Gray, that was so beautiful,” I hear my mom say, sniffling, but neither of us acknowledge her.

I hold my breath as Carlee stands there motionless for what feels like a damn eternity, blinking down at me. “Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife, sunshine? Spend the rest of your days by my side.”

My heart thunders against my rib cage as the silence becomes deafening. Why isn’t she saying anything? My eyes plead with her for an answer.

Suddenly, she drops my phone onto the ground below and launches toward me, knocking me backward and onto my ass. “Yes,” she weeps, peppering kisses all over my face. “Yes, yes, yes. A million times yes!”

I hear a few screams and cheers coming from my cell, that is now sitting face down in the dirt. My family obviously heard Carlee’s reply. The ring is still clutched between my fingertips, so I rectify that immediately, sitting us up and sliding it onto her finger before she changes her mind. It’s a done deal.

“Are you sure this is what you want?” she asks as she gazes down at her hand.

“I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.”

“I’m a little crazy.”

“You’re my kind of crazy, sweetheart,” I say, placing my mouth against hers to seal our union with a kiss.

My heart is so full.

Standing, I bend to scoop up the phone and end the call before wrapping Carlee in my arms. I’ll call my mom again later. I shared the best part with them, now this time is mine, and mine alone.

She said yes.

I feel incredibly light, like the weight of the world has been lifted from my shoulders. It’s every Christmas and birthday present I’ve ever gotten rolled into one.

We make it back to the cabin in no time. I stop when we reach the back door, swooping Carlee into my arms. “What are you doing?” she asks as I open the glass sliders and step inside.

“Carrying you over the threshold.”

“Isn’t that supposed to come after the wedding?”

I place her on her feet just inside the door. “I’d marry you right this second if I could.”

She stares down at the sparkly ring on her finger and smiles. “It’s so beautiful, Gray.”