As much as I’m trying to enjoy college and not look too far ahead, being in Zeke’s place and seeing the life and friends he’s made since graduating makes me excited about the possibilities of the future.

I find Blair and Vanessa in the kitchen.

“Blair, do you happen to have a piece of paper and a pen?”

Vanessa rolls her eyes. “Probably varying colors and sizes.”

Blair shoots her a pretend dirty look before admitting, “She’s actually not wrong.”

She produces options and I pick one, tear out a sheet, grab a pen, and thank her.

I hole up in the bathroom for a good ten minutes. A weird place to be writing a love note to your girl, I realize. When I’m done, I pocket the pen and paper and go find Chloe. She sits on the couch between Vanessa and Katrina, but as I approach, Vanessa stands, giving me a perfect opening to take the seat next to Chloe.

“Hey,” she says with a big smile and her green eyes light up. “Where’ve you been?”

“Around.” Placing a hand on her thigh, I lean into her space.

“It’s weird to think, in a few months this could be you. Living in Phoenix, or wherever, and playing in the NBA.”

“So weird,” I agree. “Also, weird, Gabby tried to talk me into proposing to you tonight.”

Her eyes go wide, and I think she’s holding her breath. Shock and maybe excitement plays out on her face.

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to. Not because I don’t want to marry you someday, but because I want to do it the right way. With a big rock.” I use my hands to give her an idea of the size—roughly the size of my head—and she laughs. “And in the perfect spot with all the right words.”

I produce the ring I made from the paper Blair had in her purse, take her hand, and place it on her finger. “I wrote all the things I love about you on there. Barely a blank spot on either side.”

She inspects it, turning it around and trying to read the small scrawls and drawings.

“I don’t really expect you to wear it. It’s likely to fall apart before the end of the night, but I want you to know how much you mean to me and how excited I am about every day. Not just the future where we have jobs and fancy apartments, but even today when all I can give you is this.”

She holds it up over her heart, just like Gabby did with her giant engagement ring. “I love it and you.”

And the thing is, I know she does. Paper isn’t as valuable as diamonds, but when filled with sentiments from the one you love, it’s just as precious.

EPILOGUE

CHLOE

Six Months Later