I rolled my eyes. ‘Shut up! What’s today then?’ I asked as Jake held the box in his hands in front of me. My mind had gone completely blank. I couldn’t think about anything else but the fact that the man of my dreams was holding what looked like a ring box.

‘Today is the date we went to New York together last year. What I count as our actual first meeting because before then, I don’t think we really saw each other. But when you sprawled on the floor in the airport in front of me, I definitely saw you, Freya.’

I chuckled. ‘Yeah, you couldn’t miss me! God, I was so embarrassed that you had to help me up. And that bloody penis pencil!’ I shook my head at the memory.

Jake grinned. ‘I was hooked from that moment. And when you said that was our meet-cute, you were right. I fell for you in New York. I almost lost you…’ He bent down on one knee and I inhaled sharply. He looked up at me, his eyes locked on mine. As always, the world faded into a blur and all I saw was him. In our bedroom. In our bubble. ‘But thank God, you came back to me. I’ve wanted to ask you this for a while but it felt right to wait for today to mark that meet-cute. I don’t want to meet anyone else. You are it for me, Freya.’ He opened the box and I gasped again because inside was the biggest, brightest diamond ring. ‘Am I it for you too? Will you marry me? Will you give me the happy ever after I’ve always wanted? Will you let me give you the happy ever after you’ve always wanted?’

My throat threatened to close up with the lump that had appeared in it. My eyes threatened to spill over into hot tears. But I managed to smile and nod and choke out a, ‘Hell, yes!’ I crouched down and pressed my lips against his. ‘You are my happy ever after,’ I said as Jake slid the ring onto the finger on my left hand. ‘I can’t believe I was thinking about sex, and you were planning this!’

Jake laughed. ‘Yeah, I thought we’d have dinner and I’d tell you romantic things but no, you’re insatiable and wanted me naked in here,’ he replied teasingly.

I nudged him as I stared at the sparkling ring. ‘I had no idea. But those rose petals look like they might be comfortable…’ I said, standing up.

Jake stood up and scooped me up off the floor. I squealed as he carried me to the bed. ‘Now, be a good girl and take your clothes off for me…’ he said, laying me down on top of the rose buds.

I giggled. ‘I love it when you tell me what to do.’