The very moment Curtis Harper knew Allison Kelley was the one, he started planning. He already began mapping out how he would ask her to stay by his side for all eternity. Curtis was still Curtis — even after transforming into Mr. Congeniality, the methodical and analytical side of him never went away. He was precise, calculated, and always in control. Planning something like this wasn't hard for him — it was second nature.Allie, on the other hand, wasn't used to doing nothing. She loved being on her feet — busy, moving, surrounded by people.
So one morning, she decided to visit Coppa.
Luckily, the café owner was there, surprised but thrilled to see her. They caught up quickly, and Allie mentioned she had free time now and missed working as a barista. She asked if she could lend a hand while figuring out her next step.
The owner was touched. "An overqualified general manager from an exclusive club wants to work here again? You humble me," she said with a laugh. "Of course, your job is always open for you."
Allie was delighted. She left the café glowing, coffee and pastry in hand, and headed straight to Curtis's place.
She punched in the code, Milo barked happily, and she set the coffee and pastry on the counter before kneeling to give him cuddles.
"Babe, I'm here!" she called out.
Curtis came out from his office, walked directly to her, and leaned down to kiss her.
"How did it go, love?" he asked.
"Well, I got my job back!" she said proudly, holding up the bag. "And I brought your favorite macaron and coffee."
"I told you she'd take you back in a heartbeat," he teased, wrapping his arms around her from behind. He pressed a quick kiss to her ear and rested his chin on her shoulder. "But you know, you really don't have to do anything. You could just rest."
Allie laughed. "And what should I do the whole time then, Mr. Harper?" she teased, reaching up to cup his face.
He turned her around, eyes soft. "Chill with me…"
She kissed him lightly, smiling against his lips. "I love that idea, but you might get tired of me. Besides, you know me — I like being on my feet."
Curtis sighed dramatically. "Fine, I give up." He didn't argue further. Her working again gave him exactly what he needed — time to prepare his proposal. His first order of business was getting the help of the person closest to Allie — Clarisse.
He surprised her at the art gallery where she worked. Clarisse froze the second she saw him.
"Curtis Harper, what the hell are you doing here?" she said, narrowing her eyes.
"Just coffee," he offered. "My treat."
"Fine," she said, crossing her arms. "But only if it's the one I want."
They sat down across from each other, and Curtis got straight to the point. "I wanted to clear the air," he said sincerely. "I know you're protective of Allie — I respect that. I just want you to know that I love her, and I'll never do anything to hurt her again."
Clarisse sighed, her tone softening just slightly. "I know. You're not the problem — I just worry about her. She's like my sister. But as long as she's happy, you're good with me."
Curtis smiled. "Then I need your help."
"With what?" she asked suspiciously.
"I need Allie's ring size."
Clarisse froze, blinked — and then gasped so loud a few people turned to stare."Holy fuck! You're serious serious?!"
Curtis panicked. "Clarisse, please don't cry here—people are looking!" Clarisse sniffed, wiped her tears, then immediately shifted back to business mode. "Fine! I'll help you — but you owe me a week's worth of lunch: chicken Caesar salad, lots of parmesan, well-done chicken, extra ranch, from my favorite spot."
Curtis laughed in relief. "Deal."
"Good. I'll text you once I get it," she said, standing and waving him off.
Two days later, she called. They met for lunch, and she slid him a small note with the ring size written on it.
Curtis raised a brow. "That was fast."
"It's called trust and girlhood," Clarisse said proudly. "I bought a bunch of cheap rings in different sizes, called her over to help me pick one. She tried them all on, and boom — got her size. You're welcome. Now feed me."
Curtis grinned. "You're brilliant."
Before she left, Clarisse grew serious. "Hey, Curtis… make sure you've thought this through. Marriage isn't just about good times. Be the man she can count on — every day. Words are cheap, but actions? That's what she deserves."
Curtis nodded firmly. "She'll always have both."
A few days later, he dragged Jonah along for ring shopping.
"Why not just ask your mom for hers?" Jonah said as they browsed.
Curtis shook his head. "Because that's her story. I want to give Allie something from me — something I worked for and chose myself."
"Fair point," Jonah said, nodding.
They visited store after store until, finally, in the last one, Curtis saw it — an emerald-cut diamond ring. Simple, timeless, elegant. But when the light hit it, it gleamed like sunlight through glass.
It reminded him of her — understated yet breathtaking, quietly radiant.
The day of the proposal…
Allie's shift was in the afternoon. She kissed her mom goodbye, grabbed her tote bag, and texted Curtis before heading out.
Allie: On my way to work 💕
Curtis: Kk. I'll pick you up later. Let's have dinner after. Love you.
Allie: Okay, see ya! Love you too.
Nothing out of the ordinary.
Work was busy as usual — the sound of steaming milk, chatter from tables, the warm glow of late-afternoon light spilling through the windows. Allie was in her element, smiling at customers, moving gracefully behind the counter.
Just like old times.
At exactly four o'clock, Curtis walked in — newspaper tucked under his arm, his usual pastry order on his lips. He gave the barista a small, teasing smile before heading to his favorite seat by the window — the same corner table where it all began.
Allie caught sight of him and shook her head, laughing quietly to herself. He still carried that crossword puzzle look of concentration, as if he was solving the mysteries of the universe.
When the rush died down and soft jazz filled the café, Curtis looked up and called her over. "Allie," he said, holding out his crossword. "Need your help again."
Allie smirked. "Finally learned your lesson, huh? You know I'm the genius who helps you solve all the hard ones."
She sat beside him, pen in hand, leaning closer to read. Her eyes danced across the puzzle, lips moving slightly as she answered each missing words aloud.
Down: Please
Across: Marry
Across: Me
She froze.
Her hand trembled, the pen hovering over the page. For a moment, she couldn't move, couldn't breathe. Her lips parted as her eyes lifted to his — and there he was, looking right back at her, eyes soft but full of emotion.
Curtis's heart was pounding so hard it almost hurt. In his gaze was everything — fear, hope, devotion.He didn't speak. He didn't need to.
"Allie…" he whispered.
Tears welled up in her eyes. Her heart felt like it was breaking open and mending all at once. She looked back down at the puzzle through the blur of her tears and gently wrote the final word herself —
YES.
Her hand shook as she placed the pen down. She looked up again, tears falling freely. Curtis's lips trembled as he smiled, pulling a small velvet box from his pocket and placing it on the table.
No speech. No rehearsed lines. Just them on their own world — eyes full of overflowing happiness and love for each other that only them can understand.
Allie nodded, crying. Curtis stood, reached across the table, and took her hand, sliding the ring gently onto her finger.
She reached for him, kissed him through her tears — slow and deep, a kiss that carried every memory, every heartbeat, every promise they'd ever shared.
When they finally pulled apart, Allie looked down at the crossword, smiling through tears.
The last word she'd written stood there clearly.
YES.
From the very beginning, she'd always been the one with the answers —and this time, she gave him the only one that truly mattered.