“Oh, I can’t believe I’m only just asking, but how did Casey do at her scan?” Adam asks.
Earlier today, Casey went to the hospital to have a brain scan done. I couldn’t go as I was working, but Dad went with her.
She’s nearing the end of chemotherapy, and she had to have the scan done, so they can determine how effective the treatment has been.
Can’t say I’m not nervous about it, but I’m trying to remain positive.
“Dad said it went fine, but we won’t find out anything until she has her appointment with her doctor, which is next week.”
“Sucks you have to wait a week for the results. Can’t they see her sooner?”
I shake my head. “It was the only appointment he had. He has other patients, too, I guess.” Not that I care about those other patients. I care about only Casey.
Some voices off in the distance catch my attention. At the sound of cheers, I lift my eyes in the direction of them and see there’s a wedding happening out on the terrace of one of the hotels along the beach.
“Aw, look at that.” I pat my hand on Adam’s hard stomach, getting his attention. “A couple is getting married on our one-year anniversary.”
I stare at the couple. They look so happy.
I have a thought in my mind, a picture, that the couple could be Adam and me one day.
It makes my insides feel all warm and gooey.
I smile up at Adam, only to see his eyes fixed on the soon-to-be newlyweds.
He’s not smiling. He just has this really serious look in his eyes.
Then, he stops walking.
“Hey, you okay?” I ask him.
He turns to face me. “Marry me.”
“What?” I stare back at him, unblinking.
I couldn’t have heard that correctly. I mean, I know I was just having a mini daydream about future Adam and Evie becoming Mr. and Mrs. Adam Gunner, but he couldn’t have said that for real.
He moves closer, taking my face in his hands. “I love you, Evie. I look into the future, and the only thing I see clearly is you. Marry me.”
Yep, he definitely did say that.
Holy. Shit.
I part my suddenly dry lips, but nothing comes out of my mouth but air.
What am I supposed to say to that?
I mean, I know it’s either usually a yes or no answer, but—
Holy crap!
We’re so young…but he’s…he’s Adam. And I love him so much. I don’t see myself ever being with anyone but him.
But we’re so young.
“You think we’re too young.” It isn’t a question, and apparently, he can also read minds as well as throw out-of-the-blue marriage proposals out there.
“Aren’t we?” I manage to say.
“I don’t think we are. I love you, Evie, and that’s not changing…well, ever. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Everything else is just semantics.”
“I just…I don’t know. I guess I’m just feeling a little blindsided by this. I definitely did not see that one coming. You sure know how to surprise a girl.”
“So, is that a yes?” He gives me a smile, but I can see that it’s laced with worry.
He’s worried that I’ll say no.
Do I want to say no?
I close my eyes and try to think about this good and hard—well, as hard as I can in the short time frame I have.
I love Adam more than anything. And I do see myself with him, building a life with him, forever. He’s all I see.
But he’s leaving to go to Harvard.
I open my eyes. “Harvard,” I say. “If we did this, I couldn’t go with you. I can’t leave Casey and Dad, especially not while Casey’s still so sick.”
He grasps my face again. “I’m not going to Harvard. I’m staying here with you.”
“Adam, you can’t. It’s a great opportunity—”