Chapter Eleven
It had been four years since Liam and I started dating. We graduated from Yale University with honors two years before. We both became journalists. We moved back to the San Fernando Valley area. We worked for the local newspaper where I wrote the entertainment section and Liam wrote the sports section. My parents still owned Hal's. Landon and Gillian just started high school. All our friends were still together. Some were married (Brooklyn and Lucky, Capri and Danny, Maddi and CJ) while others were engaged (Adonia and Ronan, Candi and Tyler, Carlos and Rori). It was just Liam and I still dating.
I was hanging out with the girls when the topic of marriage came up.
"Brooklyn," Candi asked her sister-in-law. "What's it like to be married?"
"Perfect," Brooklyn said. "I'm married to my best friend. Literally."
We all laughed.
"All my friends are either engaged or married," I said. "I feel left out."
"Liam will ask you," Maddi said. "Don't worry."
I didn't catch the certainty in her voice.
"Hope you're right," I said.
I excused myself to use the ladies' room.
"He's going to ask her," Maddi whispered. "Tonight."
"Tonight's their anniversary," Rori whispered. "It's the perfect time."
The other girls agreed. I came out and told the girls that i had to get home to get ready for my date with Liam. I went home and got ready. I didn't know what to expect because Liam didn't tell me anything. He blindfolded me.
"No peeking," he said.
"Won't be a problem," I said.
He drove to our destination. He stopped. He helped me out of the car and led me into the place. He took my blindfold off.
"Happy anniversary, Jess," Liam said.
It was the gazebo that we danced in that night five years ago. It had a table set up with candlelight.