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He put his hand on the small of my back as he led me up a small trail between the trees.
"Oh yeah. This is a magic spot. Truly." We looked through the trees, and sure enough, the sun was so beautiful. It felt almost unreal.
It was a different color from what I remembered. Not as orange, more pink, or was it the sky reflecting in the water, making me think the sun was also pink? It didn't matter. It was breathtaking no matter what.
"Thank you for showing me this place.”
“Natalie," Jake said. His voice sounded different. I turned to look at him. "Thank you for being part of my life. You showed up so unexpectedly, and everything about you just drew me in."
"Everything?" I asked.
"Yes."
"I puked on my way here."
“You were adorable, and I was trying very hard not to acknowledge that. But I don't have to pretend anymore, ever. You’re all I ever wanted." He took a step back. I wondered if that meant he already wanted us to go. The sun had—
Oh my God, he was on one knee.
Onone knee.
He brought his hand out from behind his back. I hadn't even realized it had been hidden out of sight. There was a velvet ring box in his hand, and he opened it, revealing a gorgeous translucent stone.
"Natalie, I think this is where the story first began, right here in this spot."
His eyes were a bit glassy. My throat closed up.
“This was where I knew you were different and that you do something to me.”
"What?" I murmured.
"I didn't know back then, but now I do. You gave me an appetite for life and happiness. I want to live through everything that life has to offer with you at my side. Will you be my wife?"
"Yes, Jake. Yes, I want to—" The words got lost as my throat clogged up even more. I had to cough to clear it. I was completely teary-eyed, but I didn't care. I saw him as if it were through a misty rain as he put the ring on my finger before getting up.
"I love you, Natalie."
"Oh, I love you so much. So, so much."
I was swooning when he kissed me. His lips were soft but also demanding. I put my hands around his neck and pressed my whole body to his. He groaned against my mouth as I kissed him in the most wicked way I knew. I was burning for him: my body, my heart, and my mind.
I loved this man to the moon and back, and I couldn't be happier.
***
The Whitleys arrivedtwo hours later.
"You've got a great place here," Maddox said, looking around the yard as everyone came in from the driveway. Leo and Nick were right behind him. Since this was the first time they'd been here, I could totally relate to their surprise. Leo looked from one side of the yard to the other as if mentally measuring how big it was. Yeah, I couldtotallyrelate.
As we walked inside, Jeannie took my hand. "Oh, I had a feeling Jake was going to propose."
Several of the guys whistled while they congratulated us. Jake nodded, looking proud of himself. He was rolling Jeannie and Abe's suitcase inside. Everyone else was in charge of their own.
"Oh, who knew he could be such a romantic?" Jeannie went on.
"You two want the same room as always?" Jake asked his grandparents.
"Yes, please," Abe said.
