Chloe grinned, voice trembling with excitement. "I've been planning this for months. But I wanted the right moment. And I think today which is the day of my best friend's wedding, surrounded by everyone we love is the right moment."
She opened the box to reveal a simple, elegant ring, and Damian's jaw dropped. Chloe's hands shook as she held it out to him. "Damian… will you marry me?"
Damian didn't move at first. For a long second, he just stood there, staring at Chloe like the world had paused around them. The music from the speakers faded into background noise. Conversations nearby trailed off. Even the clinking of glasses seemed to stop.
Chloe was still on one knee. Feeling proud, and unashamed, smiling like she had just done the most natural thing in the world. Damian blinked once, then again.
Before he knew it, a laugh escaped him. Although soft at first, before it became louder, and rough around the edges, like he was trying to catch his breath and failing.
