[For this year’s challenge, I’m writing what comes after “when we met” which was my theme last year. For all 26 letters, I’ll start with a link to last year’s post where you can meet the couple.]

2022 | when we met. a/accident.

after we met. a/accident.

Two years later…

“Hey, Ash?”

I lifted my head from Spencer’s chest and looked up at his gorgeous face. “Hmm?”

“Remember that dinner when your sister got engaged?”

“Oh god. That was horrible!” I sighed. “The violinist… the flowers… the entire restaurant full of people watching. Horrible.” I shuddered at the thought. My sister loved it, but a huge scene like that was definitely not for me. I wanted to crawl under the table. I bet Spencer would have liked that.

Spencer laughed at my reaction to that night. “I know you hated that.” He kissed my forehead before looking back at me. “So… I got you something.” He took an arm from around me and reached into the drawer in the table by our bed. When he turned back to me and I saw what he was holding, I smiled at him.

“Aww…” I took the little toy car from him. “It looks just like the one you were driving when you hit my car the day we met.”

He gave me a look that said… you’re never going to let that go, are you? And he was right. I wasn’t going to let it go. I loved that exasperated look he gave me. Teasing him was so much fun.

“Why did you get me a tiny toy car?” It was sweet and I loved it. But I was curious.

“I thought it was cute.”

“But you always say…” I paused and changed my tone to imitate his deep voice, “I’m not cute. I’m sexy.”

He laughed at me. My impression of him was terrible. I think that’s what made him enjoy it every time I did it. And I did it kind of a lot.

“I didn’t say I was cute,” he said. “I said the car was cute.”

“Oh. I’m so sorry.” I smiled. “Well. It is cute.”

Spencer ran his fingers along my cheek. “Ashley. That’s not the only reason I’m giving it to you. It’s what’s inside the car.”

“You were inside the car. And I already have you.”

“You do,” he said. “But I meant what’s inside that car.” He pointed to the toy car in my hand.

I gave him a suspicious look before looking down at the car in my hand. I shook it gently and heard something. I pulled open one of the tiny doors and tipped the car so its contents would fall into my hand.

“Spencer.” My voice was barely audible. I dropped the car and covered my mouth with my hand while staring at the ring I held in the other.

“Ashley…” I lifted my eyes to his. “Marry me.”

“Spencer,” I shook my head with a smile and a few tears. “Of course you wouldn’t say that in the form of a question.”

He smiled. “You know me…”

“Shh,” I said softly, placing my finger on his lips. “Yes, Spencer. I will marry you.”

♥

I thought about using the same picture for each letter this year that I used last year, but that seemed redundant. I think I’ll just leave a hot guy here. And I’ll change the picture whenever the spirit moves me.
Hot guy: Rafael Lazzini (damn… look at those arms.)

p.s. — Day one and I’m already late. This is not a good sign!
p.p.s. — I literally wrote my entire first draft of this story on post-it notes. 

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