“Nah! I’m good right here.” I’m sitting in the white beach chair with my Kindle, a glass of cold white wine, and the hot sun beating down on my pale skin. I don’t feel like moving.

I focus my attention back on my story, but a shadow falls over me, replacing the sunlight. I don’t need to look up to know it’s Parker.

“Hmm?” I ask, not looking up.

“Marry me.”

That gets my attention. I look up, lowering my sunglasses to the tip of my nose to get a better look at him. When I see his smile, I laugh.

“Very funny.”

“I’m not kidding,” he says with a hint of amusement.

“Sure. Okay, and I don’t like popcorn and pickle juice,” I mock. Pushing my sunglass back on, I look back down at my Kindle. When the shadow doesn’t move, I look back up. Parker’s face has turned serious, his smile now a straight line.

I lose all feeling in my arms and legs. I can feel the blood rushing through my veins as the world around me mutes. My heart speeds up and all I can do is stare at Parker’s face.

“You’re serious?” I choke out.

Parker drops to both knees in the sand so his eyes are at my level. “As serious as I’ve ever been.” I swallow hard, looking around. Genna has a big smile and Jason’s sporting an equally enthusiastic grin.

“Pa—”

“Before you say anything, let me speak.” He pauses, running a hand through his short blond locks. “Aundrea, I have never loved anyone the way that I love you.” He takes his sunglasses off and his eyes are soft. I can see how nervous he is as he takes both my shaking hands into his. “Shit, this is a lot harder than I thought it would be.” He laughs, looking around, then meets my eyes.

“The day you walked into my life is the day I knew I would never be the same. Here was this woman in the men’s bathroom in the shortest, tightest, and hottest little black lace dress. I saw the shocked expression on your face and immediately fell in love with your big eyes. One look was all it took and I knew I was a goner. I swear, you saw right through me, and I knew I would stop at nothing to learn your name.” He swallows before adding, “I needed to hear your voice, and it was as if you could read my mind because just then you spoke and, my God, your voice was so beautiful.” His voice cracks at the last word, and he clears his throat.

Tears start to fall down my cheeks and I swallow around a lump in my throat.

Parker scoots closer to me. “Aundrea, you are mine in every way possible. Every time you walk into a room you make it brighter. You see the greatness in the world and in me. This past year and a half have been the best of my life, and it’s all because of you. You complete me. I can’t imagine going through my life without you by my side. Believe me when I say you would make me the happiest man on this planet if you agreed to be my wife.”

“Parker.”

My voice cracks. His name is all I can manage as my throat becomes tight. When I see him reach into his pocket and pull out a little green box, I gasp. I cover my mouth with both hands, looking from the box to his eyes.

“I’ve been carrying this with me since the day I bought it, waiting for the perfect moment and praying you wouldn’t catch me with it.” He looks down at the ring, then back at me, grinning. “I wanted to get you the biggest ring I could find, but when I saw this one, I knew it would be perfect for your delicate finger.”

“It is perfect,” I say, staring at it.

The ring is yellow gold with two rows of diamonds on either side of a large princess cut stone that sits much higher than the rest and is absolutely stunning.

“This isn’t exactly where I thought I would ask you, but I can’t think of a better moment. Marry me, please?”

I stare longingly at the ring in his hand with a million thoughts running through my head. He’s asking the impossible from me. Something I swore I would never do. Marriage is forever. It’s a commitment; an oath to stand by someone through the good and the bad.

Parker has seen me at my worst and my best. He’s always by my side.

I want to stand by his.

Forever.

In truth, I never wanted to get married. I never thought I’d find love in the middle of battling cancer, either. But I did.

I want to marry Parker.

Taking a deep breath, I begin, “Parker, I never wanted to get married—”

“Before you break my heart and turn me down, let me just sa—”

“Shh…” I press my finger to his lips. “I never wanted to get married until I met you. You bring out a side of me that feels as if I can take on the world. I want to take on the world with you, Parker.”

“You’re saying yes?”

I nod.

“That’s a yes?” he asks again, as if to convince himself.

“Yes!” I laugh.

Parker engulfs me into his arms, squeezing so tightly I have to tell him to let go so I can breathe. Laughing, we continue to look at one another.

“You’re really going to marry me?”

“Yes, I’m going to marry you.”

Kissing the top of my head, he keeps his arms securely around me. “I’m never letting you go, Aundrea.”

“I won’t let you.”

“Earth to Aundrea.” Jean waves her hand in front of my face.

“What? I’m sorry.” My thoughts become fractured as I’m brought back.

“I said the guys are here with food. Are you ready to take a break?”