Ugly(49)

“Trent,” I say as I step closer to him.

“Please, Lily. Please forgive me. I’ll try harder; I’ll change; I’ll do anything you want me to. I love you so much it hurts. Last night was the worst night of my life, because you weren’t with me. I love you so much.” He’s still on one knee and I can’t bring myself to say anything to him. “We can go to college together as a real couple. One who can plan their wedding and be totally in love.”

I smile at his request. He really is cute. “Yes,” I whisper, finally happy I’m getting my very own family, and someone who loves me so intensely.

The onlookers erupt in cheers, and Trent stands and rushes over to me, places the ring on my finger then he swoops me up in his arms and spins us around. His mouth takes mine, and he continues to kiss me as he spins me. The lilies are now being held by a lady who was standing beside me.

“Thank you, babe. Thank you. I’m taking you out tonight to celebrate, just you and me.”

“I can’t,” I say as he stops spinning us and places me on my feet. He knits his eyebrows together and tilts his head to the side. “I made plans with Shayne. We’re getting pizza and she’s making me a cake. No one’s ever made me a birthday cake before.” I gleam. I’m so happy.

“Okay, babe. Whatever you want. We can go out tomorrow. But, can I take you and pick you up? I just want to spend every minute I can with you.”

He’s so sweet, and I can tell he has changed toward me. “Thank you, I’d love that.” I kiss him again.

“Come one, babe. I’m going to take you to get something to eat. Do you want me to take the flowers home with me?” He holds his hands out for the bouquet.

“Thank you, yes. But I have to go back and get my purse.” I go to walk to the where my bag is.

“No you don’t; the least I can do is pay, considering I left you to pay for last night. I’m so sorry about all of that.” He leads me out toward his car, and just his attitude is lighter than what it’s ever been before.

“Thank you, Trent. For letting me go out tonight, and for buying me lunch.”

He puts the flowers in the back of the car, and he snakes his hand around my waist. “Anything for you.” He kisses me on my nose and walks us over toward the deli I love. “Hang on, you didn’t tell me what you think of your ring?” He smiles as he moves his hand to entwine our fingers and then bring my hand up to his mouth to kiss my fingers.

“I love it, it’s perfect.” I look down and admire the cute, little clear stone.

Today is going to be fantastic. I can’t wait to tell Shayne tonight.



“Trent brought you over?” Shayne says with raised eyebrows, as she looks out the door toward Trent.

“Yeah, he did. So much has happened today.” I step inside and she shuts the door.

“Clearly. Tell me, how was your day?”

We both go into her apartment, and we flop down opposite each other on the loveseat. “It was unbelievable. It really couldn’t have gone any better.” I look at Shayne, and her face is screaming a thousand words. I can tell she’s not impressed, not one little bit. The scowl on her face, the way her lips have thinned out and her eyes look like they’re judging me. “Please don’t, Shayne. You mean so much to me. And I don’t want you to be upset with me.”

“I’m not upset with you. I just don’t think he’s the best person for you.”

“He’s changed. He was so different. He let me come here even though he wanted to take me out for dinner to celebrate.”

“Celebrate your birthday?” She twines her hair around her fingers.

“That and this.” I show her my ring. But her face doesn’t change into the happiness I was hoping it would. “Oh,” I sigh. “You’re not happy for me?”

“I am, really I am. But how can you say yes so quickly after how he treated you?”

“I told you, he’s changed.”

“You’re telling me he changed overnight? He left you to pay the restaurant bill, he walked out on you, but less than twenty-four hours later, he’s changed? You can’t really believe that?” She looks at me with her eyebrows raised, clearly disbelieving his change of heart.

“I’m not stupid, Shayne. I know how people can be, but he’s genuine and I can see he’s changed.”

“Either that, or he’s saying all the right things.” She rolls her eyes and looks away.

“Look, I don’t want to fight with you. I was going to ask you if you’d be in my wedding party. You’re my absolute best friend in the whole world, and I want you and Trent to get along. You are the two most important people in my world.”