Page 137 of That Fake Feeling

Shethrows her arms around my neck, not realizing she’s knocked the ring from my hand and sent it bouncing on the wood floor.

“Ilove you,Connor.”Shebreathes against my ear in a moment of privacy in the crowded room. “Ilove you so much.”Shepulls back and speaks up for the sake of the crowd. “Yes, of courseIwant to marry you.”

Ijump off the edge of the stage and crouch down to pick up the ring.Droppingone knee to the ground,Iturn to look up at her. “ThinkI’vebeen here before.”

MomandDad’slaughter drowns out everyone else’s.

ItakeRose’shand and slide on the ring. “Ican’t wait to watch all the good you’re going to spread in the world.Itwill be a privilege to be by your side while you do it.”

Tearsbrim inRose’seyes as she lifts her hand and looks closely at the ring. “Adiamond with a pearl on either side.Sounusual.Andso beautiful.”

“Ithought it might remind you of your mom.Sinceshe can’t be with us,Iwanted to incorporate something that represents her.”

Hertears finally spill over as she takes my face in her hands and pulls me up off my knee. “Iwill be forever thankful you drank too much ofGerald’swine and knocked me into that tomato bed.”

Igesture to the room that’s decorated with all kinds ofToastedTomatosignage and logos. “Iguess we’ve started and finished surrounded by tomatoes.”

Shepulls my face to hers. “Oh, we’re not even close to being finished.”Andplants her lips on mine.

“Ialways knew it was real,”Momsays from right behind me. “Iknew it.”Shethrows one arm around each of us as the rest of the family emerges through the crowd.

Dadwraps an arm around me and shakes my hand. “Fabulouspainting,Connor.Soclever to incorporate everyone’s stories.There’sa lot of love in that picture.”

“Andyou’ll noticeIleft some gaps.”Ipoint toward the mural. “There’splenty of space for me to update it with more over time.”

Iturn toWalkeras he helpsEmilydown off the stage and pulls her into the family group hug.

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