Page 38 of The Fostered Promise

“I like the sound of that,” West whispered before capturing my lips in a kiss that felt like coming home and embarking on a new adventure all at once.

As we broke apart, breathless and giddy, I glanced over West’s shoulder at the glittering cityscape behind us. We stood there for a moment, basking in the glow of our newfound engagement and the ethereal beauty of the city.

“You know,” I said, breaking the comfortable silence, “I always thought I’d be the one to propose. Guess you beat me to it, huh?”

West’s laugh rumbled through his chest. “Well, considering our track record of keeping things to ourselves, I wasn’t leaving it to chance.”

I pulled back slightly, meeting his hazel eyes with mock indignation. “Hey, I can take the initiative!”

“Says the guy who took years to ask me out on our first date,” West teased, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

“That’s…fair,” I conceded, unable to keep a straight face. “But in my defense, I was terrified of ruining our friendship.”

West’s expression softened, and he cupped my face in his hands. “And now look at us. Best friends and soon-to-be husbands. I’d say it worked out pretty well, wouldn’t you?”

My heart swelled with emotion, and I leaned in for another kiss. “I’d say it worked out perfectly.”

As our lips met, a cool breeze swept across the rooftop garden. In that moment, with the city sprawled out before us and the love of my life in my arms, I knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, we’d face them together. And that thought filled me with a sense of hope and excitement for the future that was brighter than any skyline.