I asked, stunned, and searched his eyes as if I was hearing things. “Jake.” I didn’t know what else to say. Was he serious? Shit. He was totally serious by the look on his face. He took the ring out of the box and stared at it, rolling it between his fingers. “I know you’re only eighteen. I know that we’re young, but I can’t imagine my life without you.” He finally looked up and his eyes met my tears. “I want nothing more than to be with you. I want this to last forever.” I was so overcome with emotion and elation and so many other feelings. He smiled, a bit sadly, staring back at the ring. “But you’re not saying yes.” He searched my eyes. “Look, Aly, I don’t expect you to marry me today, but if you wanted to, I would. I would take you right now and marry you.” “That’s not what I came here for, Jake…” “Hey,” he cut in.
