When I turn around, I see Brendan texting again, then quickly pocketing his phone. He’s been doing that ever since wearrived—exchanging looks with the team, shooting glances my way, then pretending he’s looking at something else.
As much as I love being here with the team, I’ve been desperate for alone time with him. Lately, every moment with him feels way too short, and I’m starting to regret the whole three-month timeline I gave him.
I’ve waited so long for this man. What are three more months supposed to prove?
Part of me hopes he’ll just go ahead and ask me to marry him now. But I know Brendan—he’ll honor what I said, even if it kills him.
“Hey,” he says, taking my hand. “Do you want to go on the Ferris wheel, just the two of us?”
“Sure. But what about the rest of the team?”
“They’re heading over to play some games. They’ll catch up later,” he says, already steering me toward the ride.
Since there’s no line, we climb into the gondola right away. Brendan settles in next to me, his arm around my shoulder.
“Remember the last time we were up here?” he asks.
“Yeah. Most beautiful view of the town.” I lean into him, savoring this quiet moment together.
When we reach the top, the wheel slows to a stop. I can’t believe our luck.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” I laugh. “We’re stuck again?”
“Looks like it.” But Brendan doesn’t sound surprised. He looks over the edge, then back at me with a nervous smile. “Might as well enjoy it while we’re up here, because I’ve been wanting to be alone with you all night.”
Something in his tone makes me think this wasn’t an accident, that he arranged for us to get stuck. But how is that possible?
“Scarlett,” he murmurs, turning to me with heat in his eyes. “The last time we were on this Ferris wheel, I realized that I couldn’t let you go again. I knew I loved you, and would wait for you until you were ready.”
He takes my hand. “You say you hate surprises, but I’m hoping you’ll like this one. Because it’s been a dozen years in the making.”
I shake my head. “Brendan, what is going on?”
“Look down and you’ll understand.”
I lean over the edge of the gondola, just enough for me to see the people on the ground.
Below us, standing in perfect formation, are all the Crushers and their WAGs, each one holding up a white sign with a single letter.
M-A-R-R-Y M-E-?
It takes me a few seconds to realize that the question is for me.
My hand flies up to my mouth. “Brendan, is that?—?”
When I turn back to him, he’s holding a ring box, with the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen.
“Yes, it is,” he says, answering my question.
He meets my eyes, and the weight of the moment makes me want to cry.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t wait any longer,” he murmurs. “Will you marry me and make me the happiest man alive? Because I want to spend the rest of my life loving you and proving that we belong together.”
One tear falls, then another chases it.
I look at the ring and this beautiful man offering it to me—offering his heart, and soul, and a future with him.
This is all I ever wanted.