Chapter 8 - The Proposal June Had Planned Before We Ever MetThe engagement ring was hidden inside the old metal box.
I had found it months earlier.
A simple diamond.
June had purchased it years ago.
For Leah.
But there was another letter.
For the man who earns her trust.
I wasn't sure I deserved it.
Leah helped me believe I did.
I proposed in the back room of June's Table.
No audience.
No cameras.
Just us.
I told her everything.
My fear.
My failures.
My father.
The loneliness.
The love.
She cried.
Then she said yes.
Sarah hugged me afterward.
She whispered:
“Thomas would have loved this.”
Our wedding took place outside the diner.
The entire town attended.
Marlo cried.
Ben danced badly.
Samuel gave a speech that embarrassed us both.
And Leah walked toward me in a simple ivory dress.
I thought she was the most beautiful person I had ever seen.
I realized something else too.
She had been beautiful that first morning.
But I had not really fallen for her beauty.
I had fallen for the fact that she saw me.
Not the business owner.
Not the troubled son.
Not the man from the photograph.
Me.
After the ceremony, Leah whispered:
“Do you remember the first thing I said?”
“You knew my name.”
“You looked terrified.”
“I was.”
“Why?”
“Because some part of me knew you were going to change everything.”
May you like
She smiled.
“Good.”
