Page 166 of The Flirty Vet

We're all standing close enough that when I announce, "I'd like to say something," everyone can hear me.

They all step in closer, except for Wilby, who freezes next to me.

"What's happening?" he asks, looking around, but when he next glances my way, he has to drop his head.

I'm down on one knee, but in my haste, I forgot to pull the ring box out of my pocket. I'm too rattled, my nerves approaching runway-level.

I let out a shaky breath and look up at him. "Wilby Jebediah Linfox…"

I stop.

Okay.

I've correctly established the person I'm speaking to. Yay me.

I take another breath and keep going, desperate not to screw this up.

"From the moment I met you, I knew you were special. And trouble. But mostly special. I know our journey has been a bit of a bumpy one, but choosing to be with you is the best decision I've ever made. You make me happy. You calm me down when I need to be soothed. You lift me up when I need support. I know I can always count on you, and I'm on my knees in front of you,wanting to pledge to do the same for you. To always be with you for the rest of our lives. What I'm getting at is—will you marry me?"

I stare into Wilby's eyes. He tries to blink away his tears but fails.

I wait.

We keep staring at each other.

He's silent.

I'm still on my knee. On a rough patch of ground. If I weren't such a nervous wreck, I would've looked around for a grassier, softer spot.

And I'mstillwaiting for Wilby to say something.

Anything.

Fuck.

What if those aren'tyestears sliding down his face? What if I've made a colossal misjudgment? What if?—?

Before I spiral any more, Wilby drops tohisknee—on a grassy patch, I can't help but notice—effortlessly produces a navy-blue box seemingly out of thin air, and opens it. He even manages to angle it in such a way that the light bounces off the gold band, drawing a round of impressedoohsandaahsfrom everyone.

I stare at him. "What are you doing?"

He smiles at me, like he doesn't have a care in the world. "I'm about to proposetoyou."

"You're what?"

I shoot Dad a look only to see him openly crying. Ah, so it wasn't bugs irritating his eyes before. Brant rubs his shoulder, a little misty-eyed himself.

"Why'd you think I wanted to drive down here with your old man?"

"I thought you were being weird… But, wait. You can't propose. I'm proposing."

"Fine." His smile widens. "In that case, I'm counter-proposing."

I shake my head in disbelief, fighting the grin that wants to form on my lips. "Not everything is a competition."

"Oh, but it is, Cap.Everything'sa competition."

"I hate you right now."