“This is overkill, you know,” Chase tells me, turning away from the table with an eyebrow raised. It’s Thanksgiving, and we’re at my parents’ waiting impatiently to start dinner.

“I want to make sure you don’t eat it.”

“You can just tell me what has shellfish in it. You didn’t need to make a sign.”

I smile and nod. “I did. Just to be sure.”

“Everything with shellfish is on that table,” Sam says. She takes Chase’s food allergy as seriously as I do. “Don’t go by it.”

Chase rolls his eyes, acting more annoyed than he actually is. I laugh and move around the large island counter to him. He snakes his arms around me and steals a quick kiss.

“Happy Thanksgiving,” I tell him and then turn back to the kitchen. “Is everything ready?”

“I think so,” Mom says, opening the oven to check on the turkey. Sam and I exchange looks, silently laughing. Mom doesn’t know how to cook a turkey. Her personal chef prepared most of the meal, while we handled the side dishes.

“I’m going to run home and get changed,” I say. I’ve been in leggings and a T-shirt all day, knowing it was pointless to get dressed while cooking. “I’ll be back in like fifteen minutes.” I turn to Chase. “You can stay here and hang out with the guys if you want.”

Scott, my brother-in-law, and my dad are in the den watching football. Chase had been in there with them, but keeps coming into the kitchen to ‘check on me.’ It’s a bit odd, and it’s almost as if he’s nervous, which doesn’t make sense. Chase isn’t shy and doesn’t care what others think about him. He’s been around my entire family before. Well, except for Scott. But Scott got here two days ago, and he and Chase get along great.

“I’ll come with you,” he says.

“You don’t have to. I’m going to change and probably fix my makeup.”

“Probably?”

“Okay, I will fix it.”

Chase’s hands land on my waist and he leans in. “I’m coming with you. Because I want to fuck you.” He kisses my neck.

“Mhhh,” I moan and let my head fall back. “Yeah, you’re coming with.” I take his hand and go out the door. He insists I do my makeup first, and says he has to go to the car to get something.

He’s still outside when I’m done with my makeup. Wondering what’s going on, I look out the window and see a single lantern light near the edge of the forest. I grab my jacket and go outside to see what the heck Chase is up to.

“Babe?” I call, picking up the lantern. I hold it out in front of me and look into the trees. Another candle flickers next to the river, and I see Chase crouched down by the water. “What are you doing?” I ask.

He stands, and candlelight flickers on his face. “I was going to wait,” he starts and holds out his hand. I pick my way over tree roots and uneven ground, coming to a stop by the side of the river. “I had this whole big thing planned.”

“Wait for what?”

Chase pulls something out of his pocket, not taking his eyes off me. “To ask you to marry me.” He drops down to one knee and opens the box. Firelight flickers off a giant diamond ring.

My jaw drops and my hand flies to my chest. Tears fill my eyes and I look from the ring to Chase.

“Sierra, I love you more than anything. You’ve made me a better person and have given me everything I never knew I wanted. Will you marry me?”

“Yes,” I say, hardly able to find my voice. “Yes, yes I will!”

Chase gets to his feet and puts the ring on my finger. “I love you so fucking much,” he whispers and then kisses me. “Do you like the ring?” he asks nervously.

“Yes!” I assure him with a laugh and bring my hand up. “It’s beautiful.”

Chase kisses me again, and then grabs me by the waist, grinning. “We should hurry so we can get that quickie in before your family comes looking.”

* * *

“You have to have a June wedding,” Mom says.

“No.” Gran shakes her head. “May is better.”

“June weddings are classic,” Mom persists.

“June is overrated,” my aunt chimes in. I look at Chase and smile. I warned him this would happen. The wedding planning started the moment I walked back into the house and showed off my new ring.

“I like May,” I say to Chase. “June is good too. October is my favorite, but that’s too far.”

“I’m good with May,” he agrees.

“We’re getting married in May,” I announce.

“Not this May,” Mom and Gran say at the same time.

“There’s hardly any time to plan!” Mom exclaims. “Venues are already booked.”

“I’ve always wanted to have the reception here,” I go on. “I don’t want a big wedding.”

“You could always do a wedding in Disney,” Scott suggests. He winks at me. “It would have to be small that way.”

“I like that idea,” Chase tells me with a smile. “I’ll marry you tomorrow in Vegas if that’s what you want. As long as we’re together.”

“What?” Mom practically shrieks. “No one is getting married in Vegas! Though I am open to the idea of a Disney wedding.”

“Don’t worry about what you want, Sierra,” Lisa jokes. “You’re lucky enough you got to pick your fiancée and not have an arranged marriage.”

“I’m not that bad,” Mom insists. Sam and I laugh. “I just want to make sure things are perfect.”

Chase takes my hand and smiles. “They already are.”