Chapter 14 - The Proposal
Nathan proposed on an ordinary Tuesday.
No photographers.
No restaurant.
No orchestra.
I was standing barefoot in the kitchen making grilled cheese for Grace.
Nathan walked in carrying groceries.
Then he knelt.
I laughed because I thought he had dropped something.
He hadn't.
“Evelyn Mercer.”
I stared at him.
Grace gasped dramatically.
Nathan smiled.
“I know you've had enough grand surprises for one lifetime.”
I laughed through tears.
“So I'm giving you a boring one.”
He held out a simple ring.
“I love the woman who runs a corporation and the woman who burns grilled cheese. I love Grace. I love your impossible schedule. I love that you don't need me.”
His voice softened.
“But I'd really like you to choose me.”
That mattered.
Not need.
Choose.
“Yes.”
Grace screamed louder than either of us.
Nathan stood and kissed me.
For the first time, love did not feel like something I had to earn by disappearing.
Later, I told Brendan.
He went silent.
Then:
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“Does Grace know?”
“She helped.”
He laughed.
“Of course she did.”
Before hanging up, he said:
“Evelyn?”
“Yes?”
“You deserved this version of love the first time.”
I swallowed.
“So did you.”
Maybe one day he would find it.
May you like
But that was no longer my responsibility.
And strangely, that freed both of us.
