Hopeless For You by Hayden Hill Read Free Book Online

little like a big, hairy pinecone.
    As usual, there were a ton of presents under the tree. They came in all sizes, but I knew most of them were just the usual filler items nobody asked for but got anyway: shirts, ties, socks, chocolates.
    "Let's get started," Mom said eagerly. She always got excited at this part. Watching me open presents reminded her of when I was younger, I guess.
    I was the self-appointed present giver. I liked being able to choose what presents were opened and in what order. I went to the tree and picked out one I'd gotten for mom.
    She took it and read the label. "To Mom, from the Hillbilly Wonka Chocolate Factory."
    I always had fun with the labels, and rarely signed my own name. Instead, I'd reference books we'd read in the past few months, or a movie we'd recently seen as a family. Usually I liked to sign something that hinted at what was inside, though sometimes I'd write red herrings just to keep everyone on their toes. Devon and I were the only ones who ever did stuff like that, but our handwriting was so different, everyone could usually tell which presents were from him or me.
    "Well, it's certainly not chocolates," Mom said, shaking it. She knew all my tricks. I think she already realized what it was but she still took an agonizingly long time opening the present. It wasn't chocolate, of course, but one of the romance novels she'd asked for this year.
    Bill's turn was next. Again, I gave him one of mine.
    "To Bill," he read. "From Dan Brown. Hmm." He devoured the wrapping paper. Inside was the latest treasure hunt thriller from Dan Brown. "How'd you know I wanted this? Thanks, Asha."
    I glanced at mom and she gave me a conspiratorial wink.
    I figured it was my turn next and I decided to grab the gift Devon had gotten me. I knew which one it was because of the label.
    To Ash, From Your Most Secret Admirer .
    Devon looked at me apprehensively. "Maybe you should open that one later, Ash..."
    "Why?" I shrugged happily and tore off the silver wrapping paper, revealing a small box. At first I thought there was a watch or an earring or something inside. When I opened it up, I couldn't believe what I was seeing.
    The moment I'd been waiting for had finally arrived.
    Devon knelt in front of me and wrapped his hands around the box and the silver ring it contained. "Ash. We've been through a lot together, you and I. You mean everything to me. We're not like other couples—you're by my side day in and day out and I wouldn't have it any other way. Let's make it official. Will you marry me?"
    I glanced up and saw mom and my stepdad close to tears where they sat on the couch. I was nearly crying myself.
    I knew Devon was the one and I was certain that someday he'd put a ring on my finger. His timing had caught me a little by surprise, but we'd been dating three years and now was as good a time as any.
    "Yes," I said. My face was wet with tears of joy. "Yes."
    Devon slid the ring onto my left hand.
    I knelt and slammed my lips into his. My stepdad and my mom clapped in the background but I hardly noticed. This kiss was different than the one we'd exchanged earlier in my room. More urgent. Like we wouldn't get the chance to kiss like this again.
    He was the first to pull away, and he glanced sheepishly at my folks. "Sorry."
    "No," mom said, the happy tears streaming down her face. "Don't stop because of us."
    Devon glanced at me, seeming anxious to pick up the kiss, but I only smiled politely because for me, the moment was already broken.
    Besides, there was something I had to do.
    "Wait here," I said. I ran upstairs and retrieved a small, wrapped gift from my room. I'd been debating whether or not to put this one under the tree but eventually I'd chickened out. I could give it to him now, though.
    "I have something for you," I said when I got back downstairs.
    Devon unwrapped the present, revealing a small, black leather box. He opened it.
    "I don't know what to say, Ash." He held up the titanium ring. "Guess