Under the soft glow of the patio lights, with only the stars above them as witness, Derek took a deep breath. His heart was pounding, not out of doubt, but out of the overwhelming realization of how much Lisa meant to him. He felt more certain than ever that she was the one he wanted by his side, no matter what the future held.
“Lisa,” he began, his voice steady but laced with emotion, “you’ve changed my life in ways I didn’t think were possible. You’ve been my friend, my confidante, and, honestly, my anchor through it all.”
Lisa’s eyes softened, shimmering under the lights as she watched him, sensing the sincerity in his words.
Derek reached into his pocket, pulling out a small, velvet box. “I wasn’t planning on finding love,” he continued, his voice faltering slightly, “but you made i
