Total pages in book: 17
Estimated words: 15252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 76(@200wpm)___ 61(@250wpm)___ 51(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 15252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 76(@200wpm)___ 61(@250wpm)___ 51(@300wpm)
I glance at the time. I’ve got time to finish posting the ‘story time of my crazy ex-manager part 1’ video I’m working on first before I have to get ready. Harvey’s working late tonight, so I’ve distracted myself by working all day. I’ve gotten so used to having him around that it feels weird to be alone in my place now. He’s basically moved in, and I couldn’t be happier about that fact.
I film a ‘get ready with me’ while I do my makeup, chatting a little about my new boyfriend because the internet loves nothing more than gossip. Harvey’s made a cameo in a few of my videos, and he already has people thirsting over him in my comment section, which he finds hilarious.
I choose a neutral, glowy makeup look and a simple slicked-back bun, knowing that the look will go well with all three dresses. Since we’re taking photos on the beach, I trade the heels for strappy sandals before pulling on the white flowy dress. It’s my favorite of the three I worked on last week, with a gold accent belt at the waist and the perfect lightweight fabric.
I send a quick text to Harvey to let him know I’ve gone out to do a work shoot just in case he gets back before I do, and grab my bag before heading out. Normally, I’d bring my ring light and camera, but Reagan is even more organized than me, and I know she’ll already have everything we need with her to get the perfect shots.
The weather is perfect, not too hot but not too cold, when I pull up to the beach. It’s quiet, given it’s evening, though a few people are strolling along the shore casually. I breathe in the salty sea air and sigh, letting myself relish just how happy I’ve felt lately. With work going well, Reagan showing me how a manager always should have been, and Harvey and I closer than ever, I truly have the life I’ve always dreamed of. I still can’t believe it sometimes.
I’m so caught up in daydreaming about my life that it takes me a second to realize what’s going on. The first thing I think is oh, that looks like Harvey, and then it hits me that it is Harvey. Confusion swirls through me as I approach him near the sea line, sand beneath my feet.
He’s holding a bouquet of colorful flowers and has a huge grin on his face that immediately tells me there’s something going on here. I glance around, but I can’t see Raegan yet.
“What are you doing here?” I ask when I get close enough, frowning at him.
Harvey leans down to give me a kiss, smiling against my lips. “Surprising you,” he answers, like it’s obvious.
“I thought I was meeting Raegan for photos…” I say, trailing off.
“She’s around here somewhere,” he says casually, only making me more suspicious. “You look gorgeous, Hailey.”
“Thank you, but stop trying to distract me with compliments,” I say, unable to keep the sass from my tone. He hands me the flowers, and I inhale their sweet scent, loving the mix of colors he’s chosen. “These are beautiful, but why…”
I glance up from the flowers to find Harvey’s no longer standing in front of me but kneeling in the sand. My heart leaps as I finally realize what’s happening.
“Oh my God,” I gasp, utterly shocked as he pulls a ring box from his pocket. When he opens it, the huge emerald stone gleams in the sunlight. It’s stunning, clearly antique, and beautifully done, absolutely perfect, and my total dream ring.
“Hailey Blake,” he begins, grinning as I stare at him, still utterly in shock. “Since the moment I met you and became the target of your smart mouth and sass, I knew you were the girl for me. You are beautiful and talented and utterly perfect, and there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t wonder how the hell I got so lucky.”
“Harvey,” I breathe, overwhelmed with joy.
“I want to spend the rest of our lives teasing you, bantering with you, and being surrounded by the colorful chaos you create,” he says.
“Me too,” I whisper, trying not to interrupt him but also wanting him to know just how much I love him in this moment.
“I love you more than I have words to say,” he continues, looking up at me. “Hailey, will you marry me?”
As if he even has to ask!
“Yes!” I cry immediately, nodding and nearly dropping the bouquet of flowers into the sand in my excitement.
He takes my shaking hand and slides the ring on, a perfect fit, before sweeping me up in his arms and spinning me around. It’s then I hear the click of the camera and open my eyes, seeing Reagan standing close by, filming and taking photos of us, preserving this perfect moment for me. It fills me with so much joy knowing Harvey considered everything, giving me a private proposal but with photos and videos I can share if I choose. God, he’s so perfect I can’t cope.