Against All Odds (spin-off of The Three Queen Bees and Me)

Chapter 18- Is this what love feels like?

Here I am overthinking because I have fallen in love with Evelyn Winters. It didn't instantly happen over night. It gradually spread itself in time.

I know there's so much I still need to learn about Evelyn, but I want that. I want to know what makes her smile, what makes her tick. What preference did she consider when selecting a movie to watch.

I just simply want to be around her. Her smile is infectious I noticed that the very first time my eyes locked with hers at the shelter.

I thought love couldn't be possible for someone like me— with an abusive father and a mother that I made kill herself.

Everyone I ever thought about loving like Axial eventually leaves me one way or another.

My hand grips Evelyn's tightly as I lead her to my balcony where the rose garden is. If I was going to give her a meaningful gift, I wanted to do it right.

"You like the rose garden?" I ask as Evelyn almond eyes widen in awe of what she is seeing.

"Yes. Has my mother seen it?" She oddly ask making me blink at her.

I nervously laugh as she asks what I find so funny.

"Your mother actually helps with the rose garden." I confess gently touching one then I rip it off handing it to Evelyn.

"My mother is such a green thumb." Evelyn states beaming with pride over her mother.

I couldn't help feeling a pang in my chest at the mention of her mother. I shouldn't be feeling this way it wasn't her fault my mother is gone and hers is still with her.

I just wish sometime she was still here.

"She is. There is another reason why I brought you out her though." I say trying to shake the thoughts of my mother out of my head.

I rub the back of neck nervously as my other hand fidgets with the black box with the ring.

You can do this I keep repeating to myself like if I thought it enough times it actually come true.

"What was the other reason?" Evelyn asks curiosity evident in her eyes as she stares at me.

Shaking like a leaf in the wind I manage to get down on one knee like an idiot and reveal the ring.

Evelyn stares at me flabbergasted.

"Relax it isn't what you think. I just thought since you rejected my necklace gift in the past, I would try something else." I blurt out my words tumbling over one another.

Evelyn examines it farther as she looks in the inside of it where I had it engraved.

"Fiona..." She speaks with disappointment in her voice. No I didn't want this reaction. Maybe I did too much. I know nothing about women and I am one.

"It's technically still Christmas. I think it would be bad luck not to accept any gifts give to you." I explain lamely feeling lame.

Evelyn opens her mouth then closes it as she slides the ring on her ring finger and eyes it with fascination.

Maybe she did like it after all? It's hard to get a read on Evelyn.

Then her face turns into a frown as if thinking of something was troubling her.

"You okay? The ring was a dumb idea wasn't it?" I nervously ask hoping that isnt't the case.

"No, it's sweet. I love it." Evelyn exclaims giving me a gentle peck on the cheek.