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ut my plans, I’d skipped the part where I could invest in her business. Now, when she’d openly agreed that my fund was a great idea, was the best time to bring it up.
“We don’t have to discuss specifics now. I just wanted everything out in the open, give you all food for thought,” I said.
“That was sneaky,” Maddie commented a few minutes later as we headed to the kitchen. We’d offered to bring the dessert to the table.
“I disagree. It was smart. Just think about it, babe.”
She took the tiramisu out of the fridge, setting the tray on the counter. I was supposed to take out the plates, but instead I pushed her hair to the side, kissing the back of her neck. She shuddered, her skin instantly turning to goose bumps.
“Landon, stop.”
“Why, you don’t like it?” I teased.
“I like it too much, you terrible man. Stop.” She fidgeted as if trying to break free, but her attempt was so halfhearted, it only made me smile. But I did stop and spun her around to face me.
“We need to talk about you not being on my side.”
She pinched her nose, poking my chest with one finger. “If I see Neanderthal attitude, I have to call you out on it.”
I grabbed her wrist, kissed her finger. “You didn’t seem to mind that attitude this morning.”
She’d tried to tease me this morning, walking half-naked around the kitchen. Emphasis on tried. I loved her so hard on that counter, it creaked with our movements.
“I can’t believe you’re using that as bargaining chip. You’re even more terrible than I thought. First you get me to fall in love, now you show your true colors. Typical. You almost demolished my kitchen this morning.” She was so adorable that I had a hard time keeping a straight face.
“About that.... I like your bungalow, but it’s small. I want to build a big house on that lot of land we both love so much. Could you draw up a plan?”
“I’d love to, but it’s been years since I worked on anything other than outdoor spaces. I can recommend a top-notch architect.”
“But you’ll help? I want you to plan it just the way you want it. It will be our home.”
“Our home?” she asked quietly.
“Yes, Maddie. Our home. I want you to be my wife. And—”
I stopped, but too late.
“Landon,” she whispered, her eyes wide.
There went my grand plan to wait and do it with a ring and right atmosphere and everything. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Maddie. Will you marry me?”
“Of course I will. I love you.”
“I’ll wait for as long as you want, but... I’d really like our life together to start soon.”
She sneaked her arms around my torso. I hugged her tight, then even tighter as she said, “You don’t have to wait at all, Landon. I love you. I can’t wait to be your wife.”
Epilogue
Three months later
Maddie
Out of all the things I imagined doing on my wedding day, taking a pregnancy test wasn’t on the list.
My period was three weeks late. In the beginning I’d chalked it up to my stress level going through the roof with the wedding preparations. A week ago I started feeling nauseous in the mornings. I’d put it up to more nerves. But today I’d almost fainted while having my hair done. I’d sent Grace to buy a test right away.
The wedding was taking place in one of the finest beach hotels in the Los Angeles area. Landon and I each had separate rooms to dress in. He’d arranged for an entire team of hair and makeup artists to come here for me, and they’d worked their magic for hours. They were all gone now, though. It was just Grace and me.
