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It’s late, that quiet and still time between twilight and sunrise. I’m curled up against Cole’s body, exhausted and content. After making me come three times, he carried me into the shower and worshipped every inch of my skin all over again.
Tonight will go down as one of the best nights of my life. There are still things we need to talk about, college, the future, the miscarriag
e… but for now, I’m happy reveling in the present.
“This is nice,” I say.
“Yeah.” He’s quiet.
Too quiet.
“Cole?” I peek up at him. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
Something flickers in his eyes. “Wait here, okay?” He slides out from under me and climbs out of bed. I can’t help but watch as he pads across the room to his bag. It’s dark, only the sliver of moonlight illuminating his profile.
When he returns, I sit up, noticing the bundle of things in his hands. “What is all this?”
He places it on the bed to one side and beckons for me. “Come here.”
I scooch to the edge of the bed and he pulls my legs over the side, nestling between them. He’s on his knees, his eyes almost at my eye level.
“You’re kind of freaking me out,” I admit.
“I didn’t know if you’d come today. Even though I really, really fucking wanted you too, I didn’t know if you would. But I brought this just in case.” He hands me the bundle of material and I stare down at it.
“What is it?”
“Take a look.”
Carefully, I unfold it, my brows crinkling. “I don’t underst—” I suck in a sharp breath. It’s a Colton U jersey. “You got in.”
Cole nods, swallowing hard. “Nothing is official yet, but the spot’s mine if I want it. And I do. I want it, Dove.”
“Oh my God.” I launch myself at him. “This is amazing. I’m so proud of you.”
“You didn’t look at the rest.” His hand curves around the back of my neck, pulling me away.
I hadn’t even noticed the scroll. Pulling the ribbon free, I uncurl the paper. “It’s an application form.” My eyes scan the words.
“Not just any application form. It’s your application form for Colton U.”
I look up at Cole, but something catches my eyes, and it’s only then that I realize he’s down on one knee... holding a ring.
“C-Cole?”
“I know we’re young, and I know I’m fucked-up... but I love you, Hadley Dove Rexford. You make the world a better place. You make my world a better place, and I want a future with you. I want you by my side at Colton U. I want you in my bed at night. I want the first thing I see in the morning to be your face. I just want you, Dove.”
“Cole...” I say again, because I don’t have words... I don’t have anything. He’s proposing. Cole Jagger is on his knees, asking me for forever.
“This is crazy,” I breathe.
“I want you to know I’m serious about this, Dove. I’m serious about you.”
I slide off the mattress and push my body between his and the bed. Cupping my face in his hands, I smile despite the tears rolling down my cheeks. “Cole, this is huge.”
His brows furrow. “I thought all girls want a ring.”
“They do, when the time is right.”
