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“I am,” I say with a small nod. Things won’t ever be what they were between us. London did apologize, and she even showed up for my graduation, but I think we weren’t meant to be friends. She was just a stepping-stone in my life to get me to the next level—an incredible career, new friends, and Owen. “I’ll see you in two weeks,” I say to her as I throw the strap of my bag onto my shoulder.
“Have a great trip,” she calls to me, and I wave as I head toward the exit. I text Owen that I’m leaving and I’ll meet him at the house. When he doesn’t answer right away, I figure he’s in the shower or packing. I walk up the stairs to the parking garage, and when I throw open the door, Owen is there. It’s like a flashback of all the times he waited for me by my car when we first started dating.
A slow grin spreads across his lips as he pushes off the car and comes toward me. “Hey there, gorgeous.”
I sigh as I meet him halfway, kissing him eagerly. “Hey.”
“Someone is excited. You ready to go? I’m all packed, and I thought we’d stop for food first.”
I beam. “I am, but it’s not only the trip. It’s my autistic patient. I think he loved my proposal.”
Owen’s eyes light up. “Babe! That’s amazing! I know how hard you’ve been working on that.”
“So hard. And Owen, he might do it! Oh my God, can you imagine what this could do for the autism community?”
“It’s amazing. God, Paxy, I am so proud of you.”
He lifts me off the ground, and I drop my bags as he spins me around playfully. Our laughter is intoxicating—at least, to me, it is. When he stops, I cup his face, rubbing his cheeks with my thumbs as I gaze into the eyes of my future. I couldn’t imagine this celebration without him. I couldn’t imagine going home to see our families other than together. I wouldn’t have walked if he hadn’t been out there at my graduation. Owen adds such light to my world.
“What? You’re looking at me funny. I got a booger in my nose?”
I snort, shaking my head. “I just love you.”
He stops trying to blow the nonexistent booger out of his nose, and the most gorgeous look takes over his face. “I love you, Pax.”
I don’t move, though; I continue to stroke his face.
“Are you okay?”
“I am,” I say. “Really, I am.”
He grins. “You’re creeping me out. Say what you want to say. I see it in your eyes. You’ve got something to say.”
Man, I do. “Would you want to marry me?”
His lips part as he chokes on a laugh. “Are you serious?”
“I know we haven’t really discussed it, but you’re more than a boyfriend to me. You’re everything. My other half. And I…man, I don’t know. I want to marry you.”
His eyes become watery. And as a tear spills out of mine, I know I mean everything I’m saying.
“Pretty sure I’m supposed to ask you.”
I shrug. “Figured since I put you through hell by not liking you for all those years—”
He groans. “Jesus Christ, yes, Angie. Fuck yes, I want to marry you.”
I let my breath out in a whoosh, and then we’re both grinning at each other. “This is crazy,” I say, and he nods.
“It is. Totally nuts.”
“But we’re going to do it?”
“Fuck yeah, we are,” he says with a laugh. “Because Owen loves you.”
And as our lips meet, I’m unsure if we’re laughing or kissing, but I don’t care.
Because it’s him.
The one person I not only fell in love with, but who made me fall in love with myself.
