“What the hell is going on, Jace?” I ask.

“Have a little faith.” He throws my words from our trip to South Carolina back at me.

I arch an eyebrow, but don’t say anything as we drive through Lincoln’s deserted downtown area and approach a familiar collection of buildings. We roll past the stone sign announcing we’re on Lincoln University’s campus. Michael pulls the car off on the shoulder of the road and comes to a stop. I look at Jace. He smiles at my obvious confusion.

He opens the door and climbs out, turning around to offer me a hand. I grasp it and jump out of the SUV onto soft grass. Jace shuts the door behind me and begins tugging me farther onto Lincoln’s campus.

“You dragged me out of bed to come to campus?” I finally ask.

“Astute,” Jace compliments.

I roll my eyes as I’m towed along the gravel path barely visible in the beginning streaks of morning. Brilliant splashes of pink, yellow, and orange appear on the horizon.

We round a curve in the path, and I stumble in surprise. A familiar shape is silhouetted against the pastel sky. My breath catches as Jace and I near the enormous elm tree where we used to meet every morning.

“Jace…” I breathe, unable to get more words out past the lump in my throat as we stop underneath the gnarled, bare branches.

“Now, I know this part might not come as much of a surprise,” Jace says, looking at me. “Seeing as most of our relationship has been defined by the fact you have to get married in the next few months, but I figured, since we’re here…” He sinks down on one knee.

I rake one hand hastily through my hair, partly because I didn’t spend any time on my appearance this morning, which is not how I would have chosen to look during this moment, but mostly so the tugging on my scalp can assure me this moment is really and truly happening. I feel the pain, but Jace is still kneeling in front of me.

He pulls a small black box out of his pocket. “Viv, I love you more than I thought it was possible to love another person. From the first second I saw you, I knew you were unlike anyone I’d ever met. Not because you’re a princess, but because you’re bold, and brave, and stubborn, and you light up every room you enter. I’ve spent more time thinking about you than anything else. Every time something embarrassing or silly or frustrating happens, you’re the first person I want to tell. For most of the past year, I’ve had to imagine what you might say in response. Hopefully, I’ll never have to do that again.”

He pauses. I don’t realize I’m crying until I watch a rapid succession of shimmering droplets fall to the grass between us.

“Vivienne, will you marry me?”

I start nodding before he even has the chance to finish the question. “Yes!”