AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Why?”
“All I ever wanted in my entire life was to make sure you were safe and loved, Peyton. But you’re grown up now, and it’s time to stand on your own two feet and make your own decisions. A conversation I shared with someone very wise opened my eyes to that.”
I gasp. “Really?”
“Roman and I talked, for hours. Now it’s your turn to talk to him. What happens next is up to you. He’s a good man, Peyton. In fact, he’s the best, and if there was ever a man I wanted in your life, it’s him. I know you’ll make the right choice.”
“You don’t understand.”
“I think you’re the one who doesn’t understand.”
He gives me a little nudge until my legs are moving and the next thing I know, Roman and I are standing alone in a wide expanse of field, our family and friends in the distance.
“What’s going on, Roman?”
“I’m sorry about tricking you into coming.”
I cross my arms. “Say whatever it is you have to say.”
“We have a problem.”
I try to keep my breathing steady, but his proximity is seriously messing with my body and brain. “What kind of problem?”
“You see, I hurt you, Peyton, after I swore I never would. But you have to know I didn’t do it on purpose. I’d never do it on purpose.” I blink up at him, and he continues with, “I love you, Peyton. I’ve always loved you. I never thought you could be mine, but now, well, I’m going to do everything in my power to make that happen.”
My throat dries. “You...love me?”
He laughs and shakes his head. “Is that what I said?”
I stiffen. Oh God, did he not mean it? “Yes, that’s what you just said.”
His smile falls, his face completely sober, when he says, “Then that’s what I meant.” He takes my hand and when I see love and desire reflecting in his eyes, happiness wells up inside me.
Roman loves me!
Wait, why is he suddenly frowning?
“I’m sorry you lost your job.”
Hurt tightens my heart, and I blink back the tears pounding behind my eyes. Richard’s wife might have been out to get me fired unbeknownst to him, but at least he was good with the kids, and they loved him in return. Their well-being is important to me. “Thank you.”
“Teaching kids English in another country is still your dream job, right?”
“It is. But I don’t see that happening now.”
“Look around.” I glance around at the wide-open space and catch my brother’s eye. He looks on with worry, and my heart thumps. He’s done right by me my whole life, and I love him for it, but I’m a grown-up now who can stand on her own feet, make her own decisions. “This is where your new school is going to be built.”
I falter a little, my pulse leaping in my neck. “What?”
“I bought this land, and it took weeks to get all the permits I needed. I would have come for you sooner, but I wanted to make sure everything was in place.”
I raise my shaky hands to his face. “Roman, I can’t believe you did this.” Then again, maybe I can. He’s been nothing but good to me, going above and beyond to help me out...because he loves me.
Roman loves me.
“I don’t know what to say,” I push out, my voice as shaky as my body.
“Say yes.” He drops to his knees, pulls a box from his back pocket and opens it. Tears flood my eyes and spill when I see his grandmother’s ring. “I love you, Peyton, with all my heart. I want you in my bed and in my life, I want you for the good times and the bad. I want to go on this journey called life with you by my side. I want to be equal partners, and I don’t care about the prenup.”
