Page 139 of Pretty Little Scars

“It’s not really my thing,” I tell her with a shrug.

“Tucker, you went in there every single week.”

“Without fail,” I agree, and reach out to tuck her hair behind her ear. “But it wasn’t for the food, you know.”

Her eyes soften and she leans over to kiss my lips with her cold ones. “Why did you go in there if you didn’t like the food?”

“Because I needed to seeyou.” Sobering, I trace my fingertips down her jawline and then push them through her hair. I can’t stop touching her.

I never want to stop touching her.

“I was mad at myself for a long time after you quit without me getting your number. I felt so fucking foolish.”

“You didn’t know,” she murmurs softly, and I brush my fingers down her cheek.

“I’ve always been a man who takes my time about things. Never really in a rush for much. And it didn’t bother me before.”

Darby sets her ice cream on the ground and shifts in her seat so she can see me better.

“I’m a patient man. Sometimes too patient, if I’m being honest. But there’s something that I just can’t stand to wait for, baby.”

This ring has been burning a hole in my pocket for the better part of a month, when I went with Darby’s sisters to pick it out. I pull the diamond solitaire out of my jeans and kneel before her, our fire roaring behind me and casting a flickering glow on her beautiful face. I smile at the most beautiful woman in the world as I take her hand in mine.

Darby bites her lower lip and stares at me, her glacier-blue eyes wide.

“I don’t want to risk losing one more minute with you, Darby Lexington. You’re the most incredible person I’ve ever met in my life, with your sassy mouth, and your sense of humor. The way you love your family. Hell, the way you lovemyfamily.”

She smiles softly and waits for me to continue.

“There will never be a day that I’m not completely in awe of you. That I won’t wake up and think,What did I do in my life to deserve her?Because I know that I’m not good enough, but I’m going to work every day to be the man you deserve. You make me better, Darby.”

“Tucker,” she murmurs, dragging her hand down my face.

“Will you please marry me? Make a family with me. Be my partner always. You’re the only one I want by my side for the rest of my life.”

One tear falls down her cheek, and she brushes it away before she leans forward and covers my lips with hers.

“Yeah, Hotshot. I’ll marry you.”

“Thank fuck.” I push the ring on her finger and then boost up to kiss her, to wrap my arms around her and hold her close to me, out here by our fire, under the stars. “Oh, one more thing.”

She lifts an eyebrow.

“Our entire family is waiting in the house to celebrate with us.”

She lets out a surprised laugh and then hugs me close. “Of course they are.”

EPILOGUE

XANDER HENDRIX

“Ineed to go home.” I stare across the table at my team of doctors and therapists, and all of them look ...concerned.

“Listen, I know you usually go home in the offseason, but if we’re going to get the knee ready in time for?—”

I hold up a hand, interrupting Dr. Rutherford, my surgeon.

“I know. But I’m telling you that Ineedto go home. To Montana. With my family. I leave tonight.”