My girlfriend texted, “Grabbing coffee with Rosie :)”
But Rosie was standing beside me, helping me choose Lily’s engagement ring.
When I showed her the message, she went pale. “She didn’t tell you?”
After four years together, I suddenly feared Lily was hiding another relationship. Missed calls, whispered conversations, and strange purchases only fueled my suspicions.
Then I noticed charges for a reptile tank and heat lamps. Lily was terrified of snakes. None of it made sense.
Before I could confront her, she led me into our spare bedroom.
“Remember, I love you,” she said nervously. “This was supposed to be your birthday surprise.”
Inside stood a terrarium with a tiny Kenyan sand boa named Bowie—the pet I’d always wanted.
Lily had secretly been working with Rosie to surprise me, facing her biggest fear to make me happy.
Overwhelmed, I pulled the ring box from my pocket and dropped to one knee.
“If you can love me and my snake, will you marry me?”
Through laughter and tears, she said yes.