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Draya Michele and Orlando Scandrick
David Livingston/Getty
By Janine Rayford Rubenstein
@JanineRayford
06/19/2015 AT 07:00 PM EDT
The reality star, actress and designer tells PEOPLE that her Dallas Cowboys cornerback boyfriend Orlando Scandrick popped the question Thursday evening over drinks and lots of nervous laughter.
“He told me to dress casual and we ended up going to where we had our first date,” Michele tells PEOPLE of the special night out at Arclight Cinemas in Sherman Oaks. “He was acting so weird and so nervous. When he walked up to the bar he tripped and fell over some chairs! I was thinking ‘What in the world is wrong with him?’ “
Soon, Michele says she was the nervous one. “He got down on one knee and as soon as he started to talk I got nervous and couldn’t help but to laugh hysterically. I was laughing and crying at the same time.”
Scandrick, 28, presented Michele, 30, with a cushion cut diamond weighing in at a little over 6 carats, designed by Jasons of Beverly Hills. “It’s more than beautiful,” says Michele, “more than I expected.”
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The happy engagement comes after a bit of turmoil in the couples relationship. Just last month the two split, in need of some space. “We were getting ready to take the next step and I believe that with new levels comes new devils,” says Michele, “We needed a little time away to realize that we missed each other terribly.”
But Michele insists it was a break, not a break up. “I never give permission to move on or anything like that. While he was in Dallas we stayed in contact and talked almost everyday.”
Despite rumors that she was moving on with Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie Jameis Winston, Michele says Scandrick never had any competition. “I knew I was going to say yes to him whether he asked me now or four months ago. He’s the first man to make me want to be different and be mature.”
As for the impending wedding planning, “I’m in no rush,” she says, “It took a lot to get to this point, so I’m going to let him relax for a little while.” And don’t expect the smoldering star to all of a sudden look matronly. “I’m going to soak this time in and have fun!” she says. “I’m technically not married so I don’t have to be boring just yet. I’m looking forward to being a really hot fiancée!”
Draya Michele’s engagement ring
Courtesy Draya Michele
While they’re excited to officially bring their families together – Michele is mom to a 12-year-old son and Scandrick has 5-year-old twin girls – there’s a few people the star says probably won’t enjoy the news. “I don’t think [my cast mates] will care,” says Michele, “They don’t put a lot of energy into positive things happening in my life.”
But these days Michele is just too happy to notice. “I just love him so much. I’m feeling better than amazing.”
The new season of Basketball Wives L.A. premieres July 12 at 9 p.m. ET on VH1.
