And now he felt like an idiot.
“Oh.”
Alex was to the point.
“I’ve been considering it for a week now. I just didn’t take into account that we’re both super paranoid Feds. You were a detective, and you are accustomed to being suspicious. I’m a Fed, and I’m accustomed to it too. Only, the last week being locked down with you has made me think about one thing.”
Corbin waited.
“I’m stupid in love with you in ways I never thought possible.”
He blinked.
Oh, shit.
Yep.
He’d been an idiot because Corbin didn’t detect a single, solitary lie.
Alex continued.
“No, actually, I’m three days past stupid. I’m‘lie to the man I love and try to buy wedding rings so I can propose to him when he doesn’t expect it’stupid. That’s what the receipt is for. It’s two gold bands, inscribed with something meaningful that I wanted you to have forever. I’ve caught every single hint this week about our relationship, and I think you saw me avoiding them as me not feeling the same, when I was avoiding them so I could prove I did understand, and I feel the same.”
At his explanation, Corbin stared in surprise and felt like the biggest fool.
“So, that’s what I was doing. I figured you wouldn’t be too suspicious because it was only one night, but I was wrong. When you walked out, I called Noah. He’s the one who always talks me through my issues. He said that I can’t lie or hide shit from you because clearly, you’re going to pick up on it. I just didn’t want to wait until this was over to order the rings. Like I said, they are being engraved, and that takes time. My plan was to order them, get them, and do something romantic the first day we’re able to be out on the streets again.”
Corbin couldn’t believe this was happening. What he had seen as the man pulling away was just him planning something romantic.
Alex loved him.
Alex wanted to be with him.
“I found my person,” Alex admitted. “I know it’s fast, but I genuinely have been the happiest I’ve ever been in my life, until I nearly just fucked this up. I’ve been trying not to giggle like a freaking idiot each time you drop a hint. It’s been so damn difficult to because I want to skip around the room like a lunatic.”
Holy.
Shit.
Corbin hadn’t seen this ending here. This was just more proof how he tended to screw shit up.
“So, you want to marry me?” he asked. “because you don’t ever bring it up.”
He actually laughed.
“Corbin, I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. Only, I need Noah to be here, and Elizabeth. They are the two people who have had my back, and I wanted them to see me make theBESTdecision of my life.”
Corbin felt the love.
Alex wasn’t done.
“Yes, I am moving fast, but I wasn’t sure if you were going along with me on this wild ride, or if you were going to look at me like I was insane.”
His heart raced.
“I’m going with you,” he stated. “I’m always going with you, Alex. I told you that. I meant it. I don’t do one-night stands. I do permanency.”
Then, they were on the same page.
