Fuck, I’m nervous. Wiping my damp palms on my khaki shorts, I restlessly pace along the edge of the pond in my grandparent’s backyard. My phone vibrates an alert. Slipping it from my pocket, I notice Reagan has texted me.

The package has been delivered. Good luck!

Smiling, I tuck my phone back into my pocket. I follow the path through the well landscaped backyard until I meet Carter as she rounds the rear corner of the house. “Hi,” I grin like the smitten fool I am. We’ve been a couple for fourteen months and it only gets better with each day that passes.

“Hi,” she narrows her eyes as she looks me over. “Nice shirt,” she mentions, nodding at my new black short sleeve button down. I wanted to look nice for her. She’s used to seeing me in my t-shirts and basketball shorts when I’m not at work.

“Why all the secret squirrel stuff to get me here?”

“I wanted to do something special for the woman I love.” Craning my neck from side to side, I pretend to look around. “Now if she’d only show up.”

Carter slaps me on the chest with the back of her hand. “Har har, you’re so funny.” She rolls her eyes and grins.

“You say that, but you’re the one I made smile with my comedic genius.”

“Genius, huh?”

“I’ll tell you what, let me have the rest of the night to prove to you that I’m a bonafide genius.”

“Okay. What do I get if you don’t prove it?”

“Whatever you want.”

“Hmm, I want a weekend in New York City with you. We had so much fun exploring the city streets when we were there. I’ve been dying to go back.”

“You’re on.” Grasping her hand, I set off along the gentle curves of the path. The walkway winds to and fro like we’re in a life-sized version of the board game Candyland. Eyes sweeping in her direction, I notice she’s wearing a new dress. “You look beautiful.” I give her hand a slight squeeze.

“Thank you. Reagan made me buy it.” Her hand smooths over the light blue material billowing out around her knees.

“I’ll have to thank her the next time I see her.” My appreciative eyes linger on her exposed legs.

“So, what are we doing here?”

“You just can’t wait to know, can you?” I chide.

“You know how I feel about surprises,” she groans.

“Yes, I do, but this is a good one. All of my surprises have been good, right?”

She sighs. “Yeah, so far.”

“Okay then. I’ve earned the benefit of the doubt and you should realize I’d never do anything to hurt you or embarrass you.”

She raises an eyebrow and I feel her silent ‘really’ without her needing to verbalize it.

“Okay, you’re right. I would embarrass you. But it would all be in the name of fun and I’d sure as hell never hurt you.”

“I know.” Smiling up at me, I can see how much she loves me. It’s written all over every inch of her expressive little face.

We reach the end of the path at the pond’s edge. “Okay my sweet little Candy, climb aboard,” I say wiggling my brows, like a lecher. She laughs at my expression and keeps hold of my hand as she climbs into the row boat. Once she’s balanced, I let her go. She tucks her dress beneath her, sinking onto the wooden bench.

I shove off from the shore and eagerly jump over the side, reaching for the oars as I sit on the wooden bench. Excitement rushes through my veins. My hands close around the smooth, worn wood and we glide along the water as I stroke us smoothly across. I can’t wait until she sees the surprise I have for her.

She peers over me, curious about what’s in store. Her tongue peeks out to lick her lower lip and my rowing rhythm falters. Readjusting on the seat, I regain my focus and we’re landing on the shore a minute later. I bound over the edge, landing on the sandy, wetland and tug the boat further inland.

She rises, my hands land on her hips and hers on my shoulders as I lift her over the side. “How’s that for service?” I ask.

“Thank you, kind sir.”

Taking her hand, I steer her in the correct direction. We stroll further inland and pass through a thin copse of trees and bushes with large, pink, fragrant blooms. Clearing the other side, the open, grassy area we had a picnic on the first time I brought her here is directly in front of us. I’ve set up a small table and two chairs, complete with a white tablecloth, lit candles and fresh flowers. Bringing everything across the pond took two trips, but the joy reflected on her face makes all the extra effort worthwhile.

“Wow, Nick this is amazing. When did you find the time to do all this?” Her hand gestures in front of us. “I thought you had to be at the gym after work.”

“I did, but I came straight over as soon as it ended.” She turns to wrap her arms around my waist. “I love you.” Her arms tighten their hold.

Kissing the top of her head, I catch her hands with mine. “Come on, there’s dinner too.”

Once she’s seated, I dig through my supplies, removing a Gino’s bacon pizza from the insulated bag. I plate two slices each and set them on the table. She squeals when she notices what’s for dinner.

I chuckle. “I think you’re more excited about what’s for dinner than all the ambiance.”

“I think you’re right,” she jests. “You know where my priorities lie. I’m a simple girl.”

We engage in small talk about our days. I’ve gone into the family business with my father. When my final football season ended, and I wouldn’t engage in any discussions about turning pro, it finally sunk in that I wasn’t going to play anymore. Our relationship is much better now, without all the tension coming between us and he’s even become supportive of my MMA training.

My parents and Carter have a mutual love for each other. I think my mom is happy that I’ve finally settled down with someone and she doesn’t need to worry about me anymore.

Things haven’t been the same with Tabby since I lit into her about interfering in my relationship. She knows what she did wrong. If she wants things to return to business as normal, she needs to apologize to Carter. Nothing less will suffice and Tabby’s too stubborn to ever do that. I think Carter prefers it that way. She doesn’t want anything to do with my sister and I don’t blame her.

“How did you do on that paper you were worried about?” I question. Carter’s been going to dental school since last January and she’s continuing her courses, even though it’s August right now, to make up for lost time.

She daintily wipes the corner of her mouth with the napkin. “I got an A.”

“Typical,” I state, shaking my head.

“What is?”

“All that worry for nothing. You should’ve listened to me. I told you it was great.”

“Yeah, but you can’t be impartial. You’re the most biased person I know when it comes to me.”

“That’s only because I know what you’re capable of.”

“Okay, but you’re still biased,” she reiterates, brushing her hands clean.

“That might be the case, but I’m still right and that’s all that matters.” I wink.

Flicking her wrist, she points at me. “You know that right there might be your worst trait.”

“Being right?”

“More like your incessant need to prove you’re right.”

“Hey, I’m not that bad. I mean, let’s discuss this for a minute.” I place my hand flat on my chest. “I have been right about quite a few things.”

“Such as?” Leaning her elbows on the table, she listens carefully.

“I said you tasted like candy the first time we kissed, and you do.” I raise my thumb from my close fist. “Two,” my index finger shoots out, “I promised you’d have a great time with me in New York and you did.” She stares thoughtfully at me wondering where this is going, but she knows me by now. I might not always take the most direct route to make my point, but I always do get there. “Three,” my middle finger straightens as I rise from my chair, “I said I’d love you forever and I will.” Both of my hands raise to the buttons on my shirt and undo them one at a time. “It’s too fucking hot. I wanted to look nice for you, but you know I’m just a t-shirt wearing fool at heart.” I turn my back to her.

“I do know you’re a fool at heart,” she jokes, giggling.

Tearing my shirt from my arms, I drop it on my chair and spin around. Her giggles dry up when she notices what my t-shirt says - Keep Calm and Say I Do. Carter’s mouth falls open as I drop down to one knee beside her. “What were you saying about me being a fool at heart?” I jest. “Don’t you mean a romantic?”

She nods, her eyes wide with various emotions. I only hope panic isn’t one of them.

She has to say yes.

“I’ve been waiting for this day since the first time I set eyes on you. Even when we were in New York I teased you about what your name would be when we got married. I’ve never doubted my feelings for you and I’ll never give you a reason to doubt me or my love.” I take her hand in one of mine, and pull a diamond ring out of my back pocket with the other. Pinched between my index finger and thumb, I hold the platinum circle up between us. The fading sunlight bounces off the clear surface, reflecting tiny colorful beams of light. “I know you were excited about the idea of being Carter Carter, but since that’s not possible, how do you feel about becoming Carter O’Shea? Will you marry me?” Holding my breath, I wait for her answer.

“Yes,” she cries. “I’ll marry you and become Carter O’Shea. How about tomorrow?” she asks. Tears shimmer in her eyes as I slip the ring on her thin finger. It’s a perfect fit.

She studies her hand, a broad smile lifting the apples of her flushed cheeks. “It’s beautiful,” she whispers.

“I chose it all by my lonesome.”

“I can’t stop looking at it. I’m not going to be able to get any work done now. I’ll be distracted.”

“Funny you mentioned that. I have something else for you. If I can get up,” I joke, groaning loudly as I rise to my feet. Moving to the other side of the table, I reach into one of the bags and grab her gift. Walking back around the table, I shake out the t-shirt I had made just for this occasion.

#Nickstracted.

She covers her mouth with her hand, and titters.

“It’s awesome, right? I’m a genius.” I grin, proudly.

“You’re something else.” She smiles wrapping her arms around my neck. Desire flickers in her blue eyes as she studies my lips. “How about you Nickstract your fiancé, right n…”

The End