Page 20

“Are you serious?” His voice is low, a little shaky, like he’s afraid to believe it.

I nod, and the tears finally break loose. “I don’t know for sure. I just—my period is late, and I’ve been so tired, and—” My voice cracks, and the rest comes out in a whisper. “I’m scared, Jay.”

He kneels next to me and gently pulls me into his arms, pressing my snotty face into his chest like I’m the most precious thing on earth. He just holds me, arms iron-tight around my shoulders, the warmth of him bleeding into my skin until I finally start to believe I’m not alone.

He helps me over to the sink and holds me close while I brush my teeth. Then he gently carries me back to bed. Salty tries to jump up in the bed with us, but Jay takes the little dog back to his bed by the window.

Jay returns and slides into bed next to me. “I’m so goddamn happy,” he says as he pulls me close. “I’ve been trying my best to knock your little ass up since the first time.”

I lean back and attempt to give him my most fierce stare. “Oh, really?”

“Really.” He smiles and hugs me closer. “And since you didn’t insist on us using birth control, I figured it was okay with you, too.” He has me there.

“I love you.” I lean back against him, feeling his warmth flow through me.

“I love you more,” he tells me as he leans over to reach into the bedside drawer. Jay pulls out a small, square jewelry box and opens it to reveal the most stunning diamond ring I’ve ever seen.

“Nadia Mirewood, will you marry me and make me the happiest man in Texas?”

For a second, I just stare at him, my brain refusing to process. Then it hits me that this is real, this is my life, and the man I love is proposing to me. “Of course, I’ll marry you.”

He slips the ring on my finger and mutters, “I bought this ring three days after I met you. I was waiting for the right time to give it to you, but honestly, I don’t think there will ever be a more right time. I can’t wait another second to know you’ll be mine forever.”

“I’m yours. Forever.” I snuggle in closer, knowing life just doesn’t get any better than this.