I glance up at him. A blush coats my cheeks when I see the look of longing on his face. He’s gazing at me like I’m the only woman in the world who truly matters to him.
Maybe I am.
“I want you to do me a favor,” he murmurs before taking the box out of my hand. He pulls the necklace out, and I sweep my hair away and turn around. He makes quick work of fastening the necklace around my neck and pulling my hair forward again—as if he can’t get the jewelry on me quick enough.
I fondle the jewel, enjoying the way it rests perfectly between my clavicles like it has always belonged there. I smile at him. “What’s that?”
He takes my chin firmly in his hand. Frozen, I listen closely, my heart racing, cheeks burning as we gaze at one another. “I want you to take some time.”
“Time?”
He nods. “I’ve prayed about it, and I want you to take some time. Away from me.”
My eyes widen. “Awayfrom you?”
He chuckles at the disgust on my face, in my voice. “Yes, away from me. To heal, to grow. To discover what you really want.” His thumbs stroke up and down my cheeks. “Because I may not be it.” I open my mouth to protest, but he covers it with his palm. “Let me finish.”
Slowly, he lowers his hand. “You’ve loved me all your life, Evie. But our difference in age still stands. You’re still so young, and there’s so much you still want to do—like travel and go back to school. I won’t be the thing that stands in the way of you fulfilling your dreams. You deserve the space and time to explore your options.”
My upper lip curls. “I don’t want options.”
His grin turns impish. “You might change your mind, and I don’t want to rob you of anything. Because what I want . . . it’s too much to ask of you right now.”
“What do you want?” I whisper, floored.
He lifts my hand and rubs his thumb across the knuckle on my ring finger. “I want your hand in marriage,” he says, gazing softly at our joined hands. I gasp under my breath. “And babies. I want all the babies you’ll give me.” We both bow our heads, mourning the baby we lost. “But most importantly, I want to build a life with you. So I need you to know that’s exactly what you want, too.”
“I do.”
“I believe you. But just do me this favor. Take a year. Continue going to therapy and church. Strengthen your relationship with Jesus. I’ll be here when that year is up. I promise.”
My heart softens at the mention of growing closer to Jesus, and only then do I really begin to hear what he’s saying. He wants me to put my relationship with my Creator first.
“Maybe even go on that trip to Europe, if you want. I don’t care what you do, but you need to do it without me. Okay?” His eyes are comically severe, as if he’s giving me detailed instructions on how to defuse a bomb if necessary.
I nod slowly.
“I’m willing to wait while you figure it all out,” he goes on. “I’ll be as patient as you need me to be. I’m prepared to wait for you as long as you waited for me. Even longer, if I have to.”
Sniffling, I nod again.
He laughs gently and pulls me closer. “In the meantime, I’ll be whatever you need me to be. If you want me as a friend, I’m here. Or if you want space, I’ll leave you alone. But I willneverwalk away from you, Evie.” His thumb caresses my bottom lip as his words sink in for me. The tender look on his face is so sweet and patient and wholesome that I nearly come undone at the sight.
He loves me.Trulyloves me.
“Oh,” he whispers, smirking at how shaken I must seem. He toys with the diamond bauble resting against my neck. “And don’t take this off. Ever. Not unless you’ve changed your mind about me. As long as you’re wearing this, I’ll know you’re still working through whatever it is you need to work through before you find your way back to me. Can you do that for me, baby?”
“Yes,” I squeak, overwhelmed.
He pulls an envelope from his back pocket. “And one last thing. When that year is finally up, I want you to read this letter. But not a second sooner.”
I take the letter from him.
“Oh,” he says again, and I laugh. “Sorry.Onemore thing.”
I roll my eyes. “What’s tha—”
His mouth comes down on mine then, and I’m so shocked by his rough, unexpected kiss that I freeze and clam up. It’s like I’ve forgotten everything he’sever taught me, and I get a sudden sense of déjà vu as the memory of our first kiss rushes back, the way my brain and lips stopped working in tandem.
