Natalie rubbed the back of her neck. “Maddie isn't really interes—”
“Oh, is that what she told you?”
“Adam,” Maddie’s voice, sounding exasperated, chimed in. “Stop giving her such a hard time.”
Adam was quick to raise his hands. “Sometimes you've gotta,” he cut himself off when Maddie frowned. “Well, alright. Let me go bug Brittney.”
“Unbelievable,” Maddie said as she watched him go. She focused on Natalie. “Dance with me?”
“I thought you’d never ask.” Natalie grinned and took her hand, happily leading the way to the dance floor. Maddie had been called away by Kaili earlier, and Natalie had been resigned to socializing by herself when half an hour had passed.
They’d danced countless dances together over the years, but Natalie had hoped Maddie would return before all the best songs had played.
Maddie chuckled when Natalie pulled her close. “Missed me, hm?”
“Busted,” Natalie admitted as they started moving to the upbeat song. There had been a time when she would have been anxious, dancing with Maddie like this in front of everyone they knew. Not for herself, but for Maddie.
Maddie turned and gave her a soft kiss. “Sorry. Kaili was still trying to convince me to check out houses in her neighborhood.”
Natalie snorted. “Of course she would. She’s relentless.”
“You’ve got that right.”
They were silent as they continued dancing, both being swept away in the music. It wasn’t until the next song, something softer and slower, began that Maddie spoke again.
“Are you really okay with it?”
Natalie, noticing some of Maddie’s hair had slipped too far forward, reached up to gently tuck it behind her ear. “Okay with what?”
Maddie made a point to look her in the eye. “Not getting married.”
“We’re buying a house together, Maddie.” Natalie smiled. “That’s a pretty big commitment.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
Natalie sighed and looked around. The wedding reception really was beautiful. “I told you when I graduated. I’ll be with you any way you want. Whatever you’re comfortable with. If that means not getting married, then yes. I’m okay with it.”
Maddie stared at Natalie a moment longer, and then tucked her head against Natalie’s shoulder.
As the song began to slow down, Maddie’s head tilted back up. “Maybe,” she murmured against the shell of Natalie’s ear, “I’ve changed my mind.”
Natalie squeezed her hand. “It’s okay, Maddie.”
“No.” Maddie stopped moving entirely. “I mean it, Natalie. Marry me.”
As if to remove the last of Natalie’s doubts, Maddie held up a small velvet bag. She loosened the drawstring and reached in.
The ring was white gold, a simple design with a deep blue oval-cut aquamarine in its center, smaller peridots on either side. Their birthstones.
Natalie hated diamonds. She also loved Maddie.
Grateful that they’d danced themselves into a quiet corner of the tent, Natalie could only nod. She cleared her throat as Maddie helped slip the ring on. She wouldn’t cry, dammit.
Some levity would help.
“So, does this mean you’re going to be Mrs. Navarro? Or will I be Mrs. Davison?”
Maddie laughed and pulled her into a kiss.
Natalie grinned against her lips. They could always hyphenate.
Raquel De Leon may be contacted at
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Meeting Mrs Garret Page 34