Surprise Proposal

Adriana stood in front of the mirror, muttering the lines again. And again. Nothing landed right. The ring caught the light on the counter, stubborn and silent. She pictured Alina sipping champagne later, the diamond waiting at the bottom like a dare. Practice made the words mechanical. She kept going until her mouth went dry. That night the table glowed under candlelight. Adriana poured the wine and let the ring slip inside. The plan felt solid until Alina lifted her glass and drank it down in two greedy swallows. Empty. Gone. Adriana froze, eyes wide on the stemware. Alina set the glass down hard and narrowed her eyes. "What's wrong with you?" Adriana tried to speak. Only fragments came out—half-words and panic. Alina's brows drew together, then shot up as realization hit. "You were going to propose." She didn't wait for an answer. She grabbed Adriana by the collar, hauled her in, and kissed her like she meant to bruise. Adriana gasped against her mouth, hands hovering, every instinct screaming damage control. "Alina, the ring—" Alina didn't care. She shoved her girlfriend back against the table, knocking cutlery aside, and climbed on top. Her voice came hot between kisses. "Shut up. We’re fucking now." Later, ring or no ring, Alina pulled Adriana down the hall with one hand already under her dress. Nothing else mattered.