She continued softly, "I'm all alone now." Her gaze lingered on him.
"These past few days, I noticed you. You're hardworking, reliable… stable." H
er eyes shimmered as she looked at him. "If you accept my feelings, I'm willing to marry you."
Archie stood stunned, unable to respond.
As if suddenly embarrassed, she lowered her gaze, then looked back up shyly.
"I've liked you for a long time," she admitted.
"I just didn't have the courage to approach you until now." Her voice grew softer.
"I know you probably never noticed me. You're popular… admired by many. But I truly love you."
As those words reached him, Archie felt his chest swell.
This was the first time anyone had ever called him popular, admired, or worth loving.
The idea that such a beautiful woman had been quietly in love with him for so long filled him with a warmth he had never known.
'She wants to marry me?' The thought made his head spin.
He had never once dared to imagine something like this.
