His grin is blinding. “Yes, ma’am.”
* * *
Later that night, we’re curled up on the couch. There’s a fire crackling in the hearth. A movie playing on our massive TV that neither of us is watching. I’m tucked into my man’s side, with his arm around me, and I feel fucking amazing.
“I have something for you,” he says quietly.
I look up, smiling sleepily. “Yeah?”
He nods, reaching into his pocket and pulls out a small velvet box.
My heart stops.
“Lev’…”
“Before you freak out,” he says quickly, “it’s not, I mean, itis, but… just open it. Please.”
I take the box with trembling fingers and flip it open. Inside is a ring. Simple, elegant. A diamond surrounded by smaller sapphires, set in platinum. Absolutely beautiful. Perfect. Me.
“I’m not proposing,” he adds. “Not yet: I know it’s too soon, and you just got your life back, and the last thing you need is another commitment…”
I interrupt him, “Levi.”
“But I wanted you to know that I’m serious. That this isn’t just, I mean, I know we talked about it, but I wanted you tosee…have something that…”
“Levi.”
He stops, eyes intense on my face.
“Ask me,” I tell him.
His eyes widen. “What?”
“Ask me.” I take the ring out of the box. “I’ve spent eight years making decisions for three hundred million people. I think I can make this one for myself.”
“Lina…” His voice is hoarse. “I was gonna wait. Do it properly. Dinner, candles, the whole…”
“I don’t need dinner and candles, my love.” I take his face in my hands. “I just need you.”
He stares at me for a long moment. Then he takes the ring from my fingers, slides off the couch, and drops to one knee. Coach Levi Hendricks is down on his fucking knee, for me!
“Lina Renee Kane.” His voice is steady, but his hands are shaking. “From the first time I saw you, I knew. You’re the one for me.”
My eyes are stinging.
“I don’t care about your titles or your legacy or any of it. I just wantyou.”
I laugh through my tears.
“I want to wake up with you every morning. Go to sleep with you every night. Build a life with you that’s just ours.” He holds up the ring. “So, baby. Will you marry me?”
“Yes,” I whisper. “Yes, yes,yes!A thousand times yes, Lev’!”
He slides the ring on my finger, and of course it’s a perfect fit, then he’s kissing me, pulling me down on the floor with him, and we’re both laughing and crying and holding each other.
“I love you, baby,” he says against my lips. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too, handsome.” I pull back to look at him, this amazing man who somehow sawmethrough all the armor.
He grins. “How about we tie the knot tomorrow?” He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “I’ve waited ten years. I’m not waiting anymore.”
I laugh through my tears and bury my face in my fiancé’s broad chest.
THE END
* * *
