Both Josh and Gabi and Sofia and Nick had been dating for a while and were very happy. Things were going really well. Like all couples, they had the occasional issue come up but nothing catastrophic and they always worked through it. Although it started off rocky, Josh and Nick had become friends and had become very close, which of course delighted the girls. They saw it as their childhood dreams coming true. The guys were just happy they were happy.
They were meeting for dinner on one of their regular date nights. Josh and Gabi ad arrived first and got them a table, having drinks while they waited.
Nick arrived to join them.
"Hey guys" he greeted them, sliding into the booth across from them.
"Hey Nick, where's Sofia?" Gabi asked, surprised to see him arrive without her.
"I wanted to talk to you guys about something so I told her we were meeting a little later" he said.
"Everything okay?" Josh asked as he and Gabi exchanged looks.
"Yeah, yeah, its great actually" he smiled nervously.
"Well?" Gabi said impatiently, waving her hand in a hurry up motion.
"I want to ask Sofi to marry me, soon" he blurted out and waited for their reactions.
"Oh my God!" Gabi exclaimed, stunned.
"Dude, that's awesome!" Josh said, standing up to hug him.
Gabi sat with her mouth open, in total surprise.
Nick looked at her, trying to gauge her reaction.
"Gabi" Josh said, gently touching her shoulder to get her attention.
She shook herself out of her reverie.
"Wow" she smiled excitedly. "This is big" she said.
"It is. And I want it to be perfect so I was hoping you'd help me" he said.
"Sure, but help you how?" Gabi asked.
"You're her best friend in the world and have been since you were kids. You know her better than anyone and I'm sure you have talked about this a million times. I would love it if you would help me figure out how to do it, help me pick out the ring" he said.
Gabi smiled "Aw, that's really sweet. I would love it. Of course I will help, whatever you need" she readily agreed.
"Well I think this calls for a toast, let's get you a drink" Josh said summoning their waiter.
"To you and Sofia, and your happily ever after. This is exciting huh?" Josh grinned, his arm draped lovingly around Gabi's shoulders.
"So exciting. I cant believe this is really happening " Gabi said.
"Thanks guys" he grinned back.
"Be cool, Sofia's here" he said, a little forcefully, waving to her and standing to greet her.
They had a great evening, no one giving away the secret they had just learned.
Josh and Gabi went back to his place.
He poured them a glass of wine and they were relaxing on the couch.
He put his hand on her thigh and turned toward her.
"Hey, you haven't said much about Nick's news" he said, searching her face.
"Well I couldn't, it's a secret" she smiled playfully.
"So how are you feeling about all this?" he asked.
She thought about it for a second before answering.
"Good….pause….good. And it's nice to be included"
"You don't seem too sure. Are you upset that its happening for Sofia first?" he asked hesitantly.
"No, No. That's crazy. I couldn't be happier for them" she insisted. "Nick really is perfect for her, I guess all that time she spent being super picky paid off"
He raised his eyebrows questioningly at her.
She laughed "Okay so maybe the old me would have been jealous and gone into a whole spiral, questioning everything about our relationship but I have grown and matured" she told him assuredly.
He continued to look at her skeptically "Really?" he questioned.
She set her wine down and turned fully toward him, taking his hands in hers.
"Are you happy?" she asked.
He smiled tenderly. "Happier than I've ever been" he confirmed.
"So am I" she smiled back lovingly "And that's all that matters. I don't need to compare us to anybody else" she smiled proudly.
He grinned and leaned over to kiss her.
"You know what would make me even happier?" he asked, staying close.
"Being in me?" she teased, knowingly.
"You know me so well" he grinned and resumed kissing her, she sank back onto the couch and he followed.
"Think we're safe here?" she asked, questioning the inexplicably high number of times Elliott and/or Yolanda had walked in on them in various stages of undress.
"Should be, but at this point its at their own risk" he said between kisses, his arousal evident between them.
A few days later she left work in the middle of the day to meet Nick for ring shopping so there wouldn't be any chance of Sofia finding out.
The sales person started explaining the different ring settings, metals and the five C's to them.
Nick seemed quickly overwhelmed.
"I never realized there were so many choices" he said blowing out a breath.
"Which one would you choose?" he asked Gabi.
Gabi pointed out several that she knew Sofia would love.
"They're all nice but I'm not sure. What would you choose for yourself?" he asked curiously.
"Sofia and I may be best friends but we definitely wouldn't choose the same thing" she laughed.
"Right, what am I saying? You're dating a multi-millionaire, Josh would buy you something way more extravagant than I could ever afford" he said.
"I hope not" she said quickly.
"What? You wouldn't want a huge rock?" he asked in disbelief. "I thought all women would, especially if it was actually possible."
"No, that's not me. You should have seen the ring he bought his ex, Caroline, I mean it was gorgeous but it was huge, like ridiculously so, but ironically Sofia would actually love it" she shrugged.
"That's not helping my decision making process" he frowned teasingly.
"I don't think she's expecting the Hope diamond, we'll find the one" she assured him.
"Oooh this one" Gabi pointed excitedly barely a second later.
"For Sofia or you?" he questioned.
"Sofia, obviously" she rolled her eyes "That is what we're here for" she reminded him.
"Sorry, I guess I'm just nervous" he said, handling the ring Gabi selected.
"Listen Nick, are you sure about this?" Gabi asked, wanting to make sure he was really ready for this.
"What?" he said caught off guard. "Yeah I'm sure. I mean you think I would bring you to pick out a ring for your best friend for no reason?" he scoffed.
"Okay just checking" She said.
"So what do you think?" she asked nodding at the ring in his hand.
"It is pretty" he said.
"Yeah pretty frickin perfect. I'm telling you this is the one. Maybe you just need to practice with it, ooh I know, propose to me with it" she said excitedly.
"I don't think Josh would be a fan of that idea" he said, making a face.
"Josh is fine, he's completely immune to my chaos at this point" she said waving his protests away.
He sighed and shook his head before sinking onto one knee and holding the ring out.
"Gabi" he started.
"No! Sofia!" she huffed, stomping her foot.
"Silly me" he said, annoyed. "Sofia" he emphasized the name "Will you marry me?" he asked.
"Yes! Yes! Yes!" she answered dramatically, causing people to look their way.
He looked around, his cheeks growing red.
"So how do you feel?" she asked.
"Like I can never show my face here again" he said, feeling slightly embarrassed.
"I meant about the ring" she said smacking his arm.
"It's a strong maybe. How do you know which one is the one?" he asked.
"It should give you that feeling of excitement, perfection, like you cant wait to see it on her finger" the sales person said.
"I just don't know" Nick frowned. "Would any of these give you that feeling?" he asked Gabi.
"This isnt about me" she insisted. "But if it will help you, I am in love with this one. I keep staring at it" she said pointing to an emerald cut diamond, surrounded by circle cut diamonds and more diamonds down the sides.
The sales person handed it to her to admire first. "Try it on" she smiled encouragingly.
She hesitated, looking at Nick.
"You wont say anything?" she asked.
"What happens in the jewelry store stays in the jewelry store" he grinned playfully, holding his hands up.
"Good, because I'm dying to see what it looks like on my finger" she said, already sliding it on.
She sucked in a breath instantly "Oh wow" she smiled brightly. "Its so beautiful"
Her eyes went to its box where she caught sight of the price.
"Annnnnnd its $32,000! I feel like you shouldn't have let me touch that" Gabi told the sales person after quickly removing it and handing it back ever so carefully.
"Which is like twenty bucks to Josh" Nick teased.
"Ha ha, back to you." She said pointing to the ring still in his hand.
"I'm like 85 percent sure. I think I need to sleep on it" he decided.
"I'll put it on hold for you, just let me know" the sales person said and had him fill out a card and provided him with her card.
The next day Nick confirmed that he had returned to buy the ring. Now he had to come up with a plan.
He came over to Josh's after work to have dinner and drinks.
"Have you thought about how you might want to ask?" Josh asked.
"I feel like Sofia is going to want more than just doing it at dinner" he said.
"Uh yeah, everyone does, that's lame" she said, unimpressed.
Josh pursed his lips and stared at her, irked at her criticism of his former proposal plan to Caroline.
"Yeah, I see you" she said, turning to Josh.
She met his stare an put her hand on his arm "Sorry, I had just met you, I couldn't tell you I thought your proposal was lame, plus I was trying to get the job" she explained.
Nick grinned amusedly, enjoying the scene.
"Now you tell me" he said, shaking his head.
"Maybe you'll get to try again" Nick winked obviously.
Josh's eyes got wide.
"Shhhh Nick, we don't say things that might freak him out" Gabi teased and patted his hand.
Josh made a face and threw up his hands "What is it pick on Josh night?"
"I love you" Gabi grinned playfully, kissing his cheek. She left her hand on the back of his neck, caressing it lovingly.
"She's always talked about a destination wedding but maybe you could do a destination proposal" she suggested.
"I could be into that. But would she want it to just be us or want other people there, like you, her family?" he asked. "Wait, is this really what Sofia wants or just a ploy to go on vacation?"
"Dude, I can take her anywhere she wants to go, anytime" Josh boasted.
"Yeah, why don't we do that?" Gabi asked, perplexed.
"Okay so I guess we're taking a trip together, how are we going to pitch that to Sofia?" Nick asked.
"Josh chuckled "Please, those two would have us all living in the same house if we agreed"
"Still no" he said turning his gaze to Gabi then smiling playfully.
"I think I should tell her you both agreed to take a trip together and ask where she thinks we should go, so then you know its somewhere she will be excited to go" she said excitedly.
"Hmmm that's actually a really good idea" Nick said, surprised. "Who knew you could come up with plans that arent totally insane" he teased.
"Definitely not me" Josh joined in.
Gabi rolled her eyes "Okay I'm going home to get this started, although I'm starting to second guess helping you" she said, glaring at Nick, who grinned back at her.
Josh grabbed her hand and pulled her into his lap. "We're just teasing babe" he said kissing her softly.
"Oh I know you love my chaotic plans" she smiled.
"Wouldn't say love, but I do love you so it comes with the territory" he grinned, putting her back on her feet.
"Uh huh, love you too" she said bending down to give him a quick peck on the lips before leaving.
"Her plans are crazy? Your plan is diabolical my guy. You're essentially having her plan her own engagement, piece by piece" Nick said.
Josh smiled brightly "You heard her. It has to be better than doing it over dinner, and I want her to be surprised."
"Oh I don't think there's any doubt she is going to be surprised. You like the ring she picked out?" Nick asked.
"I do" he chuckled at his own joke. "I cant wait to get it on her finger." He smiled happily.
"I gotta hand it to you man, you're cool as a cucumber about this. I think I would be sweating bullets if it were me about to propose. You're not nervous at all to ask her?"
"More anxious. I'm ready to get it done"
"Soon, all the pieces are falling into place" Nick said, raising his glass to cheers.
Gabi got home and greeted Sofia excitedly.
"Sofia, you'll never guess what happened" she said, joining her on the couch with a big grin.
"With you that's true" she nodded. "So tell me" she said, preparing herself for whatever crazy she was about to be a part of.
"Josh and Nick agreed to take a trip with us, our plan of having our guys be best friends is working" she squealed.
"Oh my God! Yes! I need a real vacation so bad!" she said jumping up so they could jump around in circles together.
"Where are we going?" Sofia asked after they caught their breath.
"We get to decide, so what are you thinking?" Gabi asked.
"Definitely a beach right? We agree on that?" she asked.
"Hell yeah, hot sun, white sand, crystal clear blue water and daiquiris all day" Gabi nodded in agreement.
"Perfect, so lets start narrowing it down, Mexico? Dominican Republic? Puerto Rico?" Sofia listed options.
"I don't know, we never go anywhere. Ooooh let's Google all the places" Gabi suggested.
"And Trip Advisor it too, I can make a chart. It's like Christmas!" She giggled excitedly.
Gabi shook her head "Sofia, you're the only person I know who is more excited to plan for vacation than go on the vacation."
After compiling all her notes and going back and forth listing pros and cons , they were ready to make a decision.
"Okay let's just say our choice on 3" Gabi suggested.
"What if they arent the same?" Sofia asked.
"Then you can choose because I cant take anymore of your super fun research" she said teasingly.
"Ok, 1, 2, 3" they counted together.
"Turks and Caicos!" they both declared.
"Yes!" they both cheered.
"Okay, this is getting freaky, let's call our guys and tell them.
"Wait, when are we supposed to be going?" Sofia questioned.
"Well my boyfriend is my boss and he owns the company, so we're good whenever" Gabi told her with a smirk.
"Must be nice" Sofia scowled. After talking to Nick they decided on three weeks later.
Once Josh got the green light he set about planning, booking their hotel, they would take his jet, and he got connected with the hotel concierge that would assist with the on location preparations.
Right before they left Josh told Yolanda and Elliott that he is going to send the jet back to get them, Alan and Gabi's dad three days later, smiling as he said it.
Yolanda's mouth dropped open then she smiled happily. "Are you saying…" she started.
"Noooooooo!" Elliott cut her off with his protests, falling to his knees.
Josh shook his head at his completely expected response.
"I'm not saying anything" he grinned. "See you guys down there" he winked.
"I'm so excited!" Yolanda squealed wrapping him up in a hug. "For this trip" she winked and motioned to zip her lips.
"Ugh. I guess we knew this was coming" Elliott sighed in disgust.
"That's the spirit" Josh said, slapping his shoulder. "Love ya buddy"
"Love you too" he frowned as Josh turned to go.
They had a smooth trip down on the jet, and got settled into the luxury resort Josh had booked.
They enjoyed the pools, beaches, bars and restaurants and their time together.
Finally day 3 rolled around and it was go time. Josh was nervous because Gabi's dad, Yolanda, Elliott and Alan were supposed to arrive that afternoon but were delayed by weather. It was getting close to sunset and everything was all set up on the beach.
"I cannot believe Sofia is about to get engaged and she has no idea" Gabi said to Josh as she did final touches to her make-up
"Yeah, its going to be quite the surprise" he grinned back. He changed into a medium blue polo with navy pants that made the shirt pop.
"Oooh don't you look sexy" she said, walking over to him and putting her hands on his chest.
"What happens if we're late?" she winked, looking longingly into his eyes.
"You'll miss a pretty monumental moment in your best friends life" he reasoned.
"Ugh, fine" she relented and took her robe off, revealing a white dress with a deep V neck line and floral overlay. Josh stared at her, mesmerized. "You are breathtakingly beautiful"
She smiled brilliantly at his compliment "Aww thanks babe" she said giving him a quick kiss.
"Are you ready? I told Nick I would check on everything before they get down there."
"I'm ready if you are" she answered.
Josh smiled at her word choice. "I am, let's go" he said reaching out his hand, which she happily took. He brought it to his mouth and kissed it.
On the path to the beach Gabi stopped in her tracks and stared at something. Josh followed her gaze and his eyes got wide when he saw her dad.
"Oh my God, Josh" she said turning to him. He stopped breathing for a second, just knowing he was caught.
"You flew my dad down here to be a part of this too since we grew up together? You're amazing" she smiled at him lovingly and squeezed his hand.
He calmly blew out the breath he had been holding.
"Yeah I thought it would be a fun surprise. But we can catch up with him and Sofia's family after, right now we need to get down to the beach and make sure everything is perfect" he told her.
"It has to be. Let's go" she said excitedly
They got down to the beach where there was a beautiful pink rose flower arch with red rose petals lining the path to it. There was a light up sign that read Will you marry me?
"Oh my God this is so romantic and magical, Nick killed it! It's absolutely perfect" Gabi said, taking it all in with a huge smile on her face.
"Not yet, this sign is turned the wrong way" Josh grumbled, reaching for a large pink board on the left side of the arch.
He turned it around, blocking the view with his body while he did so.
When he stepped away, she read the words Gabi, you've always been the one written beautifully in cursive lettering.
"Josh, that says Gabi. Did you tell them wrong?" she asked worriedly.
He grinned "It's not wrong" he told her.
In one fluid movement he removed a small box from his pocket and dropped to one knee in the soft sand.
He opened the box to reveal the ring she had tried on and loved but never expected to see again.
Her face lit up at the realization of what was happening.
"Gabi, I love you. So much." He smiled adoringly. "And I know you're the only one for me. Will you marry me?"
"Yes" she nodded vigorously and leaned down to his level to kiss him, her hands on his cheeks.
He stood up and took her hand, sliding the ring onto her finger before wrapping her in his arms, kissing her.
"That was so sneaky" she giggled happily in his ear as they held each other tight.
"Well I knew it had to be better than just doing it at dinner" he said. She felt his smile on her cheek.
"I would have said yes anywhere, any way you asked" she beamed at him.
"That being said, I'm very happy this was the way you went" she smiled happily.