Page 68 of Sipping Seduction
“No, it’s not my leg. You need to stand up.” With as much thought as I put in to how to set up the perfect proposal, it never occurred to me that Frannie might think I was injured.
“If it’s bothering you, we can rest for a few minutes.”
A year ago, I would have been pissed at myself for ruining the moment. Thank fuck I’d grown enough to find humor in the situation. “Moon pie, I’m trying to propose. Think you could stand up for a second?”
Her eyes widened as she struggled back to her feet. “I’m sorry.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry about.” I stared up at her and reached for her hand. “In fact, this is perfect. It’s so us.”
“If it’s so us, then I want to be sitting next to you, not towering over you when you ask me.” Holding my hand, Frannie sank back down until we were eye to eye. “Go ahead. I’m ready.”
“Are you sure? Because I can wait another ten months or so if—”
“Yes.” She cupped my cheeks between her palms and pressed her mouth to mine.
I’d expected her to say yes, but I figured I would be able to actually ask the question first. Without breaking the kiss, I lowered my ass to the ground and pulled her into my lap.
She broke contact first and opened her eyes. “You were asking me to marry you, weren’t you?”
“I was thinking about it,” I teased. “Do you want me to make it official?”
Nodding, she pulled her bottom lip into mouth and held it in place with her teeth.
“I had a whole speech worked up, Frannigan. I was going to talk about how much you mean to me and how long I’ve loved you.”
“Just ask me, Evan.”
I stared into her eyes and saw the girl I’d fallen in love with and the strong, beautiful woman she’d become. She was my everything—my past, my present, and my future. I’d known it all along and was so thankful she’d given me the chance to prove we belonged together.
“Frannie Masterson, will you marry me?”
“Yes.” She whispered the word against my lips, already leaning forward to seal her promise with a kiss.
Pete the Dog couldn’t stand to be left out of the fun. He burrowed his big, wet nose between us until we made enough room for him to curl up in my lap as well.
“Should we celebrate with some champagne?” I asked.
“I should have known you were responsible for this.”
Reaching for the bottle while trying not to disturb the giant mutt, I shot Frannie a grin. “I’m going to do my best to keep you on your toes, future Mrs. Bishop.”
“Oh, I like the sound of that.”
“What? Being called Mrs. Bishop or me keeping you on your toes?”
“Both.”
Her laughter mingled with mine, echoing off the mountainside as Pete the Dog thumped his tail against our legs, a perfect witness to the beginning of our forever.