The Proposal
1220 Words
One week after Victoria.
One week of Starling sleeping on Jessica’s couch.
One week of morning coffee.
One week of him holding her hand at every doctor appointment.
Jessica’s mom was home. Walking. Laughing. Healing.
And Jessica was happy.
Terrified.
But happy.
Her phone buzzed at 3 PM.
`Starling: Dress up tonight. 8 PM. Red dress. No arguing.`
`Jessica: Bossy.`
`Starling: You like it.`
`Jessica: Maybe.`
`Starling: I’ll pick you up. And Jessica?`
`Jessica: Yeah?`
`Starling: Be ready to say yes.`
Jessica stared at the last text for 10 minutes.
Say yes to what?
Her heart was racing.
---
At 7:55 PM, there was a knock.
Jessica opened the door.
Starling.
Dark navy suit. White shirt. No tie. Top button undone.
Hair perfect but like he’d run his hands through it 10 times.
And he was holding white lilies. Her favorite.
"You look beautiful," he said. His voice was rough. "The red dress was a good choice."
"You told me to wear it," Jessica said, taking the flowers.
"I know," Starling said. He stepped in and kissed her forehead. "I like when you listen to me."
Jessica’s stomach flipped. "Where are we going?"
"You’ll see," Starling said. He offered his arm. "Come on."
---
The car ride was quiet.
Not awkward quiet.
Nervous quiet.
Starling’s hands were gripping the wheel. His jaw was tight.
"You okay?" Jessica asked.
"Yeah," Starling said. "Just... thinking."
"About what?"
"About you," he said. He glanced at her. "Always about you."
Jessica blushed and looked out the window.
20 minutes later, they pulled up to the rooftop.
The same one from their first real date.
But tonight it was different.
Completely different.
Hundreds of candles lined the path to the edge.
White lilies everywhere. On tables. On chairs. In the air.
A small table set for two with champagne and strawberries.
A violinist playing something soft and classical.
And the entire city below them. Lights. Cars. Life.
"Starling," Jessica whispered. "What did you do?"
Starling got out and came around to open her door.
"I wanted it to be perfect," he said.
He took her hand. His was shaking.
"Come with me."
They walked through the candles. The violinist started a new song.
They stopped at the edge. City below. Stars above.
For a long time, neither of them spoke.
Finally, Starling turned to her.
"Jessica," he said.
"Yeah?"
"Can we sit?"
They sat at the small table. He poured her champagne.
"To us," he said, raising his glass.
"To us," Jessica echoed.
They drank.
Starling set his glass down. Took a deep breath.
"I’ve been doing a lot of thinking," he said.
"About what?"
"About 3 years ago. About how stupid I was."
Jessica’s heart squeezed.
"I thought I was protecting you," Starling continued. "By leaving. By lying. By pushing you away."
He reached across the table and took her hand.
"I was wrong. The only thing I did was hurt you. And hurt myself."
Tears pricked Jessica’s eyes.
"And then the contract," Starling said. He laughed bitterly. "God, the contract. I told myself it was to help your mom. And part of it was. But mostly... mostly it was because I was selfish. I wanted you near me. Even if it was fake."
Jessica squeezed his hand.
"But it stopped being fake," Starling said. His voice got softer. "The first time you laughed at my terrible joke. The second time you fell asleep on my shoulder. The third time you kissed me like you meant it."
He stood up.
Jessica’s breath caught.
Starling walked around the table and stopped in front of her.
And got down on one knee.
Jessica gasped. Her hands flew to her mouth.
"Jessica Carter," Starling said. His voice was steady but his eyes were glassy. "From the moment you called me an arrogant jerk at that diner, I knew you were different."
Jessica laughed through tears.
"From the moment you told me I couldn’t buy you, I knew I wanted to spend my whole life trying to earn you."
He reached into his jacket pocket. Pulled out a small black velvet box.
"For 3 years I’ve regretted every day without you. For 30 days I’ve been falling in love with you all over again."
He opened the box.
A ring.
Solitaire diamond. 3 carats. On a thin gold band.
Simple. Elegant. Perfect.
It sparkled in the candlelight.
"I don’t want 21 days," Starling said. "I don’t want 21 years."
He looked up at her.
"I want forever."
The violinist stopped playing. The city seemed to go quiet.
"Jessica," Starling whispered. "Will you marry me?"
He swallowed hard.
"For real this time. No contracts. No conditions. No board. No money. Just you and me. For the rest of our lives."
Tears were streaming down Jessica’s face.
"Yes," she whispered.
Starling frowned. "What?"
"YES!" Jessica said louder. She was crying and laughing. "Yes, Starling. Yes, I’ll marry you!"
Starling’s face broke.
Relief. Joy. Love.
He slipped the ring on her finger. It slid on perfectly.
Then he stood up and pulled her into his arms.
And kissed her.
It wasn’t a sweet kiss.
It was 3 years of regret.
It was 30 days of wanting.
It was forever starting right now.
When they broke apart, both of them were breathing hard.
"I love you," Starling whispered against her lips. "I’ve always loved you."
"I love you too," Jessica cried. "So much it hurts."
Starling wiped her tears with his thumbs. "Don’t cry."
"I can’t help it," Jessica said. She held up her hand. The ring caught the light. "I’m engaged. To you."
Starling grinned. "I’m engaged. To you."
Then he kissed her again.
---
*Later that night*
They didn’t go home right away.
They sat on the floor. Among the candles.
Starling’s arms around her. Jessica’s head on his chest.
"We should tell your mom," Starling said.
"Tomorrow," Jessica said. "Can we just have tonight?"
"Yeah," Starling said. He kissed the top of her head. "We can have tonight."
"When do you want to get married?" Jessica asked.
"Tomorrow," Starling said immediately.
Jessica laughed. "Be serious."
"I am serious," Starling said. "Next week. Next month. I don’t care. I just want you as my wife."
Jessica turned in his arms. "Are you sure?"
"I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life," Starling said. He kissed her. "Mrs. Hale. I like that."
Jessica blushed. "I like the sound of that too."
---
*The next morning*
Jessica woke up in Starling’s bed. His arms locked around her.
Her phone was buzzing like crazy.
`Mom: BABY IS THIS REAL???`
`Mom: MRS. DADA POSTED A PICTURE OF YOU TWO ON THE ROOFTOP`
`Mom: YOU’RE ENGAGED???`
`Mom: CALL ME`
Jessica showed Starling.
He grinned. "Guess it’s official."
He rolled on top of her. "So. Wedding date?"
"Starling—"
"June," he said. "I want June."
"That’s 6 months away!"
"Too long," Starling said. He kissed her neck. "Let’s do March."
Jessica giggled and pushed him away. "You’re impossible."
"I’m in love," Starling corrected. "With you."
---
*That night*
Dinner with Jessica’s mom.
Evelyn cried. Hugged them. Cried more.
"My baby," she said, holding Jessica’s face. "I’m so happy for you."
"Thank you, mom," Jessica said.
Evelyn looked at Starling. "Take care of her."
"I will," Starling promised. "For the rest of my life."
- Writer
