Chapter 13 - THE PROMISE BESIDE THE RIVER
One year after the night Evelyn climbed into the wrong sedan, Adrian took her to the riverfront.
The city lights reflected on the water.
The air was cool.
Evelyn wore a cream coat and held his hand.
They walked slowly.
Then Adrian stopped.
“Evelyn.”
She looked up.
“What?”
He took a breath.
“I spent years believing love was a weakness.”
She smiled softly.
“I know.”
He continued.
“I thought caring about someone meant giving the world another way to hurt me.”
His voice trembled.
“Then you climbed into my car.”
Evelyn laughed.
“By accident.”
“Yes.”
He smiled.
“And you told me I was gray.”
“You were.”
He laughed.
Then grew serious.
“You didn't ask who I was before deciding I needed help.”
Evelyn squeezed his hand.
“You looked like you needed help.”
He nodded.
“And I did.”
Then he reached into his coat.
Evelyn froze.
“Adrian?”
He opened a small velvet box.
Inside was a simple diamond ring.
“Evelyn Hart.”
Her eyes filled.
“Will you marry me?”
She stared at him.
Then laughed through tears.
“Yes.”
Adrian closed his eyes.
Relief washed across his face.
He slipped the ring onto her finger.
May you like
Then kissed her.
And for the first time in eight years, he felt no need to hide the happiness on his face.
