“Come here,” I said, tilting my head in welcome. She started to lift her guitar out of her lap when something clanked inside of it. Ashley looked, perplexed, at her guitar. She turned her face with furrowed brow to me.

“What could’ve fallen into your guitar?” I asked her, wondering if maybe a pick had escaped into the belly of it.

“I don’t know. Let me shake it out.” She said, moving to hold her guitar in front of me. Instinctively, I held my palms out under the hole in the center of the instrument. I heard a rattling and felt something small fall into my hands. I looked down to find a silver ring in my palm. I looked up at Ashley, who was setting her guitar down on the floor, grinning at me. She leaned forward on her knees, putting her hands under mine.

“Spencer. I don’t want to rush anything, and we don’t have to do anything now, but…” Ashley paused, her hands and entire body visibly shaking.

“… will you marry me?” Ashley’s lips were shaking and she pressed them together in an attempt to calm them. I felt my entire body start shaking like hers and my tear ducts stinging.

“Yes,” I said, the shake taking over even my voice, “Yes.” I said conclusively, determined to overcome the tremor. Ashley leaned in and kissed me. I thought the night before had been full of kisses in which Ashley’s love for me was inescapably clear, but that kiss was even more so than the previous ones. Finally conquering her shivering, Ashley turned her attention to our hands again, taking the ring from my open hand and slipping it gently onto my ring finger. It wasn’t too gaudy – Ashley knew I didn’t want a rock for any ring. But I could tell it was very expensive. The diamond was flawless, and the silver had a shine that I think I had only ever seen in Ashley’s eyes. It fit perfectly onto my finger. We were silent for a moment until I found my voice again.

“Where did you get this? When did you-? I mean… it fits so well, I…” I stammered, finding that I couldn’t even talk through the pure pleasure that was coursing through my body.

“I got it last night, when you were asleep.” She said.

“How did you get a ring like this in the middle of the night?” I asked incredulously.

“I’m Ashley Davies.” She shrugged in a fake attempt at modesty. “And it fits perfectly because I sized your finger before I left.” Ashley’s smile was simple as she looked at me. I widened my eyes dramatically at her.

“Well somebody’s creepily observant. I don’t think I want to know what else you do to me when I’m asleep.” I said, amused. She shook her head.

“After last night… I knew that we’re ready for this. Not to set a date or anything, but… this is what I want.” Ashley said, straightening the ring on my finger.

“Me too.” I said, gazing intensely into her eyes.

“Really?” Ashley asked quietly, as if afraid I would change my mind.

“Really.” I said resolutely.