Chapter 40

Sienna Callaway was absolutely certain that the socks had vanished into thin air.

She stood in the middle of Caitlin’s bedroom, one hip cocked, arms folded loosely across her chest as her eyes scanned the room for what felt like the tenth time. She had checked under the bed. Behind the laundry basket. Inside her overnight bag. Even between the couch cushions earlier, just in case she’d somehow walked out of the bedroom wearing only one sock and hadn’t noticed.

Nothing.

She let out a quiet sigh, brushing her fingers through her hair. They weren’t just any socks-they were her favorite socks. White, soft, slightly oversized, with tiny brown basketballs scattered all over them. Technically, they belonged to Caitlin. Practically, they belonged to Sienna now. They smelled faintly like Caitlin’s detergent and something unmistakably her-warm, comforting, familiar.

“Caitlin,” Sienna called from the bedroom, her voice carrying down the hall, “have you seen my favorite socks? The white ones with the little brown basketballs on them?”

Her voice echoed through the apartment.

From the kitchen, Caitlin’s reply came easily, casual and teasing. “Check in my sock drawer. I remember keeping them there after washing them. And technically, those are my socks-not yours.”

Sienna rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips anyway. “Liar,” she muttered under her breath.

She crossed the room and pulled open Caitlin’s sock drawer, the familiar sight of neatly folded socks greeting her. It was such a Caitlin thing-everything organized, everything in its place. Sienna rifled through them carefully, moving pairs aside until-there they were.

Her socks.

Grinning, she lifted the white pair triumphantly. “Found you,” she murmured fondly.

She was just about to close the drawer when something caught her eye.

It was small. Square. Wrapped in deep purple velvet.

Sienna froze.

Her breath hitched as she stared down at the box, her heart suddenly pounding loud enough that she swore she could hear it in her ears. Slowly-almost hesitantly-she reached for it, lifting it from the drawer like it might disappear if she moved too fast.

A ring box.

Her mind raced.

Is Caitlin going to propose?

The thought sent a wave of warmth-and panic-through her chest. She let out a shaky breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding, then slowly, carefully, opened the velvet box.

Her breath caught.

Inside was the most beautiful ring she had ever seen.

A blue-and-purple gemstone sat at its center, shimmering softly under the bedroom light. The silver band was delicate, lined with tiny diamonds that sparkled subtly rather than loudly. It was elegant. Meaningful. Perfect.

Her favorite colors.

Tears welled in Sienna’s eyes as her hand trembled slightly, the box still open in her palm.

She didn’t hear Caitlin’s footsteps until it was too late.

“Hey, baby, dinner is rea-“

Caitlin’s voice cut off mid-sentence.

Sienna turned toward the doorway just as Caitlin stopped short, her eyes widening when she saw what Sienna was holding. For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The air between them felt thick-charged with surprise, emotion, and something fragile and sacred.

“Caitlin,” Sienna whispered softly, her voice trembling despite herself. “Baby… what is this? Why do you have a ring?”

Caitlin’s gaze flicked from Sienna’s face to the ring box and back again. Her chest rose with a slow breath. Then, a soft smile tugged at her lips.

She stepped forward, closing the distance between them, and gently took the velvet box from Sienna’s hand.

“I was going to wait,” Caitlin said quietly, her voice warm but edged with nerves, “to ask you officially to be my girlfriend at the surprise dinner I had planned. But I guess you beat me to it, Sunshine. You found the ring I was going to give you.”

Sienna let out a small giggle, brushing at the tears on her cheeks. “You’re really bad at hiding things, Clark. Who hides a ring box in a sock drawer?”

Caitlin chuckled softly, shoulders relaxing just a little.

But then Sienna’s expression softened, her smile turning tender. “You were going to ask me to be your girlfriend… with a ring,” she said quietly. “A ring that could easily pass as a wedding ring.”

Caitlin shrugged, trying-and failing-to play it cool. “Why not? It’s just a promise ring. But I do hope you say yes to being mine.”

She took a breath, then slowly lowered herself onto one knee.

Sienna gasped.

The ring box opened in Caitlin’s hands, the gemstone catching the light as she looked up at Sienna with dark hazel eyes full of love and vulnerability.

“I don’t really know how to start this,” Caitlin admitted softly. “But I’m gonna try, because you deserve beautiful words, my love.”

Sienna’s heart felt like it might burst.

“Sienna Callaway,” Caitlin continued, “I remember the first time I saw you. It was my first game of the season against the Connecticut Sun. You were standing near the locker room entrance, and you looked so out of place-but in the best way.”

She let out a small chuckle. “I got curious. I walked closer. And when your emerald-green eyes met mine, my entire world flipped upside down. I forgot how to breathe. My pulse went wild. You were the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen-and trust me, I’ve seen beautiful women. But no one comes close to you.”

Sienna covered her mouth, tears spilling freely now.

“You captivated me, Sunshine,” Caitlin said gently. “Your golden hair, your smile, the way you carried yourself. During our interview, I was impressed by your professionalism-and when you turned me down after I asked for your number, you somehow made me want you even more.”

Caitlin chuckled quietly.
“And then you moved into the same building as me-right next door. I knew the universe was playing matchmaker.”

Caitlin’s voice trembled slightly. “From the first moment I met you to this very second, I’ve fallen completely in love with you. These past months have been the best of my life. You’re beautiful, inside and out. And this ring represents unity, connection, love, commitment, trust, emotion-and new beginnings.”

She swallowed. “So… will you be my girlfriend? Will you be mine? Will you make me the happiest basketball player alive?”

Her hands shook as she waited.

Sienna laughed through her tears, nodding frantically. “Yes,” she whispered. “Yes, Caitlin. I’ll be your girlfriend. I love you so much.”

Relief and joy flooded Caitlin’s face. She slid the ring onto Sienna’s finger, her touch reverent. As she did, she made a quiet promise to herself-that one day, the next ring would be forever.

They stared at each other for a moment, breathless.

The air shifted.

Caitlin rose slowly, her gaze darkening with intensity as she looked at Sienna-not just love there now, but desire, heat, something unmistakably electric. Sienna shivered under the weight of her attention, suddenly very aware of the way Caitlin looked at her like she was the only thing in the world.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Sienna whispered, nerves and anticipation tangling in her voice.

Caitlin smirked, stepping closer. “Because you’re stunning,” she murmured. “And because you’re mine.”

The kiss that followed was slow and deliberate-deep, unhurried, filled with promise. Hands found waists, foreheads touched, breaths mingled. There was laughter, soft teasing, whispered I love yous exchanged between kisses.

The world outside the bedroom faded away.

Tonight wasn’t rushed. It wasn’t about urgency.

It was about love, connection, and the quiet certainty that whatever came next-they would face it together.

Authors Note :

Hello my lovelies, I know I’m late on the update I’m sorry 😔…I didn’t mean it to be published later than usual. I tried to make this chapter beautiful and make sense but it was difficult I’m sorry if it’s lacking somehow, also I wish I had the talent to write smut but I can’t write it unfortunately so use your vivid imagination, I’m sorry if the will you be my girlfriend speech is not good. Until next time lovelies.

XoXo V 💜💜💜