Page 27 of Stolen Hearts (WaterColor Romance #7)

Autumn had never been more excited in all of her life.

She looked down at the ring which sat encased in a velvet box.

Six months ago she and Quinn had made the big decision to move in together.

Everything had been a dream since then. They had fit seamlessly into one another’s lives.

Since then their days had been spent making memories together.

The timing felt right to take the next big step.

So Autumn had put in an order for a special ring.

Now here it was right in front of her. She’d gone with something classic, a square diamond with a golden ring.

The only thing classic about Quinn was her taste in jewelry.

When they had decided to move in together they each had wanted a space that was theirs as a couple.

So Autumn had sold her place and Quinn had found someone to rent the tiny apartment above her bar.

They had settled on a cute little bungalow a street away from Quinn’s bar.

The cute white house with teal shutters and door was everything Autumn could ever have imagined.

Autumn had everything all planned out for the evening.

They would have a cute and fun date night, followed by her proposal.

The entire drive home her eyes felt naturally drawn to the ring sitting in the console next to her.

She’d told Piper that she was picking up the ring and her friend had promised to meet her at home.

Piper sat on one of her Adirondack chairs as Autumn pulled up.

Her friend clasped her hands together and practically ran out to the car to greet her.

“Well, let’s see it,” Piper laughed.

Autumn pulled the box out and handed it to Piper. Her friend studied the ring sharply before giving her smile of approval.

“This is the perfect ring,” Piper admitted.

“Okay, come on inside before someone sees us,” Autumn stamped her foot.

“Feeling a bit sassy today?”

“I just don’t want anyone to see the ring,” Autumn moaned. She went straight for the door and slid in the key.

“You know having a ring isn’t illegal? It’s not like you’re out here with blocks of cocaine,” Piper teased.

“I’m just afraid of everything getting back to Quinn. Somehow I’ve managed to keep this whole thing a secret. Now I just have to make it to this evening.”

“You’re very cute as a flustered girlfriend.”

Autumn pushed open the door and invited Piper inside.

“Stop it. Right now,” Autumn laughed.

“What’s the matter?”

“I just haven’t seen anyone make you this flustered before.”

“I’m not flustered. Getting engaged is a big deal,” Autumn whined.

“You’re right. It is a big deal. So what’s your plan?” Piper asked, she took a seat on the couch. Autumn went to the kitchen and grabbed two glasses of wine. Autumn took a seat on the couch beside Piper.

“I’m going to take her to the taco stand and the bench where she promised she was going to ask me out when I got done with the bar.”

“That’s unique,” Piper looked Autumn over, obviously studying her.

“That was the day that Quinn really stole my heart. She left with it that day. So proposing there feels absolutely right.”

Piper leaned back into the couch, considering Autumn’s words.

“Then I would say that sounds perfect,” Piper smiled.

“You think so?”

“I do. If it was someone else I would say to make it more elaborate. But for Quinn that’s going to be perfect.”

Autumn gave a laugh. She knew what Piper meant. Between the two of them Quinn was certainly the most sentimental.

“I think you’re right. I want to hit her right in the feels so she knows how much I love her.”

“I think Quinn is already aware of how much you love her,” Piper chuckled.

“It never hurts to make the extra effort.”

“That’s true. Especially with an engagement.”

“How long do you have before you need to meet up with her?”

“I need to start getting dressed in about thirty minutes or so.”

“Just long enough for us to finish our wine?” Piper teased.

“You know it,” Autumn laughed.

The two sat in silence sipping their wine.

“You know I’m unbelievably happy for you?” Piper said with a smile.

“I know. Which is why if Quinn says yes…”

“When Quinn says yes,” Piper interrupted.

“Fine. Which is why when Quinn says yes, I want you to be my maid of honor. If you want to be?”

Autumn could tell from the shift in Piper’s expression that she was trying to hold back her emotions.

“Of course I want to be your maid of honor,” Piper answered.

“Wait a minute. Did you just propose to me before you proposed to Quinn?” Piper teased.

“I guess so,” Autumn let out a low laugh.

“That’s kind of perfect,” Quinn chuckled.

Autumn couldn’t argue. Piper was the best friend she’d ever had. It made perfect sense to ask her to be her maid of honor, even if she was putting the cart before the horse a bit on this one. There was no one else she would ever ask to stand beside her on her special day.

The two of them finished their wine and said their goodbyes. Quinn waved her friend off then raced through the house to the bedroom. She’d already picked an outfit that morning. She’d chosen her white jumpsuit with some gold jewelry. Autumn knew how much Quinn loved this outfit.

Quinn had been more than a little confused when Autumn had requested a date on the bench by the taco stand. But there she was waiting for Autumn when she showed up.

“You look incredible,” Quinn gasped, taking in Autumn’s outfit. Her eyes grew wide as she looked Autumn over. Mission accomplished.

“Thanks, sweetie. You look incredible too,” Autumn offered. She pulled Quinn in for a quick hug and a kiss. Quinn was wearing her favorite black jean shorts with an oversized black tank top that hung loose on her.

“I don’t think I look quite as incredible as what you’ve managed to pull off. You should have let me know you wanted to go fancy tonight. I would have changed before I came. But I figured since we were eating on a bench…” Quinn let the words hang, obviously unsure of how to finish the sentence.

“You know I like to be a little extra,” Autumn teased. Quinn smiled but didn’t make any arguments.

“Why don’t you sit down and I’ll go get us some tacos,” Autumn announced.

Quinn eyed her with suspicion clearly onto the fact that something was about to happen. Autumn would have to make this quick before her girlfriend put two and two together. A short time later Quinn came back with two tacos. She handed one to Autumn.

“You know I have a fondness for this bench,” Autumn said, her voice dropping to a rasp. She set her taco beside her on the ground beside the bench.

“Me too,” Quinn admitted.

“This is the bench where I finally figured out just how much I liked you. How much I wanted to get to know you better,” Quinn sighed.

“And this is the bench where you first stole my heart,” Autumn said her words were filled with certainty. Quinn nodded.

“Stealing your heart was the best thing I’ve ever done in my life.”

Autumn took in a deep breath and let her words come out from the heart.

“I love you so much. You may have stolen my heart but you’ve also taken amazing care of it.

Our life together has been great already, but I can’t wait to build even more of a life with you.

Quinn, will you marry me?” Autumn pulled the ring box out of the pocket of her jumpsuit then presented it to Quinn.

Now Quinn’s eyes were wider than Autumn had ever seen them. The soft warmth of her brown eyes shined in the light of the now setting sun.

“That’s everything I’ve ever wanted,” Quinn admitted.

“So is that a yes?”

“That’s a definite yes,” Quinn answered. Tears were beginning to form in Quinn’s eyes as Autumn placed the ring on her finger.

This was nothing Autumn had ever known she wanted but everything she could have ever dreamed of.

A life spent with her soulmate and best friend.

It had started that day on this very bench, and now they would continue into a new chapter.

Autumn’s heart grew warm as she pulled Quinn in for a kiss.

She couldn’t wait to get started on their lives together.