“So, the candy is in case you get hungry,” he said, “but there’s something inside in case you get lonely.”

I furrowed my brows, not understanding what he meant. I noticed the box’s perforations had already been broken, and I lifted up the top.

Inside there was a ring with a diamond so big I could see my reflection in it, surrounded by a band of blue sapphires. I gasped and then looked up to see that he was down on one knee, on the same gross floor I’d once had to sit on.

“Juliet Nolan, I love you and I want to make a life with you. So does Magnus. Will you marry me?”

There was so much elation and hope and giddiness that for a second I couldn’t answer. I just stared at him, wanting to freeze this moment in my memory.

A bewildered expression settled on his face. “If you’re not ready, we can wait.”

“Oh, I’m ready. I’m ready now.”

His concern turned into sheer delight. “I’ll call the plane and we can be in Las Vegas in a few hours.”

That made me laugh. “No, when we get married, I want everyone we love to be there.”

“I can make that happen right now.”

He could. He would absolutely round everyone up and get them all out to Vegas if that was what I wanted. I set the box of candy down on the floor and then put my hands on both sides of his face. How could I love him this much? “I know you can. You make dreams come true. Like this one.”

“So . . . is that a yes?”

I kissed him briefly, teasingly, and leaned back in my chair before he could respond. “I have some conditions.”

“Oh?”

I nodded, trying to look stern. “My answer will depend on the kind of socks you have on right now.”

He lifted up his pant leg. They were zebra striped.

“Good. Also, I’m going to need a blue-and-white wedding cake with the words Mazel tov written on it.”

“You’ve got it.”

“And maybe you could wear your Malec costume again.”

He smiled. “Your wish is my command,” which was Malec’s most famous line, and he said it in Malec’s voice, and it made me giggle. “Anything else?” he asked.

“Just love me forever, and my answer will always be yes.”

“Done.”

Then I joined him on the floor and finally and truly kissed him. The man who was going to be my husband. Who would make all of my dreams come true.

Who already had.

AUTHOR’S NOTE

AUTHOR’S NOTE