Page 107 of The Edge of Summer

Turns out, getting ready involves showering off my day at work, blow drying and curling my hair, and slipping into a blue floral sundress that Sophia picked from my closet. I don’t usually wear dresses, but it was one of the options I bought for Gabe’s wedding last summer. Every time I try to ask my sister what I’m getting dressed up for, she hides her giggle behind her hand and then encourages me to move faster.

Once Sophia is satisfied with my appearance, she makes me close my eyes and then leads me down the stairs. We move through the house and out the back door, and then she finally tells me Ican open my eyes.

When I do, my mouth pops open in shock. On the grass, all the blankets and pillows that we own are spread out. The projector rests back on a small table, and Parker sits beside it. But none of that is what truly catches my attention. Strung between the two big trees in our backyard—a major selling point for me, to be honest—is a giant white sheet. And at the centre of it all is four words that make me fall in love all over again.

Will you marry me?

Luke stands beneath the screen, watching me as I assess the scene. He isn’t dressed in his usual t-shirt tonight. Instead he wears a button up shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows. Based on the smirk that graces his lips when he catches me admiring his forearms, I’m confident that was done on purpose.

“Come here, Shutterbug,” he beckons. “I have a question I want to ask you.”

I swallow the emotion threatening to knock me over and descend the back steps. I look over to Sophia and Parker for reassurance. They both grin at me, and then my sister makes a shooing motion with her hands. I roll my eyes before turning back to Luke.

“Hi,” I say when I reach him.

He smiles. “Hi, pretty girl.”

My lips stretch into an answering grin. “I think you have a question for me?”

He nods. He reaches into his pocket and pulls something out, and then I hold my breath as he lowers himself to one knee. My heart beats steadily in anticipation.

“When I first met you, I was adamant that Ididn’t want you like this. That I couldn’t want you like this,” he says. He raises his hand, and a glistening ring catches the fading light. “But I realized rather quickly that I do want you. Forever, in fact. So, Delilah Delacroix, will you give me a shot at forever?”

I nod as I pull Luke to his feet. “Yes,” I say, looping my arms around the back of his neck. “Let’s do forever.”

His hands settle on my waist, and he ducks down to capture my lips. I let him steal my breath for a moment, his arms tightening around me as he claims me. We almost get carried away, but a rather loud throat-clearing, courtesy of Parker, pulls us back to reality. Luke and I pull apart, and then he takes my hand, sliding the ring onto my finger.

A set of small arms slide around my waist and squeeze. Sophia practically vibrates with joy as she hugs me. When I look to Parker, he gives me a warm, encouraging smile.

“So,” I say, trying to bring myself down from the delirious high, “what movie are we watching?”

Luke scratches the back of his neck. “Actually…”

“Congratulations!”

Abbie comes running out of the house, followed closely by Gabe and his wife. Maggie and John are next, carrying flutes, a bottle of champagne and some juice. Clara and her boyfriend are last, but she beats everyone else across the lawn. She throws her arms around me with a squeal.

“I’ve always wanted two sisters,” she whispers. “I’m so happy for you, Dee.”

After Clara reluctantly lets me go, I welcome hugs from the rest of the Bowmans. Then they start doling out the champagne and the juice for the kids. When everyone isdistracted, Luke takes my hand and pulls me away. We round one of the big trees, glancing over our shoulders to make sure no one saw where we went.

Luke’s hands settle on my waist, and then he walks me backwards until my back is against the trunk of the tree. “Hi,” I say.

“Hi.” The moonlight illuminates his features, and I admire how relaxed he looks. How happy. “How early do you think we can kick everyone out?”

I laugh. “Considering they just got here, not very.”

“How unfortunate,” he muses. His hand slides into my hair, getting lost in the strands. “All day long, I’ve been thinking of which way I’ll fuck my fiancée for the first time. I’m getting a little impatient here.”

I hum. “You have, have you? And what if I said no?”

Luke shakes his head. “You wouldn’t have.”

I raise a brow. “You’re confident.”

“In you and me?” he clarifies. He presses a kiss to my lips and then pulls back, meeting my eyes. “Of course I am. We’re a sure thing, baby.”