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Now, I realize that you have tomakethe right time, no matter the consequences. I know if I don’t make my move now and show Shelby that our futures are intertwined, I’ll lose her for good.
“I love you, Shelby England. So there’s only one question you need to answer right now, baby,” I murmur, sliding my hands around her waist. “Do you love me?”
She bites her lip, gazing up at me with so many emotions whirling in her beautiful blue eyes. A tear crests her lower lashes, trailing down her cheek, and I brush it away with my thumb.
“I fell for you that day at the coffee cart,” she confesses huskily. “I’ve fought it so hard because I didn’t think I deserved to be happy when the rest of my world was crumbling. But”—she drops her gaze momentarily before lifting her eyes to mine again—“you brought me back to life, Tony. You’ve given me a glimpse of a future with joy and love. A future with you. Because I love you with all my heart.”
I close my eyes, savoring those words, letting them sink deep into my soul, sealing us together.
“I love you, too, Shelby,” I say roughly, pulling her into a bone-crushing hug as relief and happiness overwhelm me. I’ll never let her down, never hurt her.Now I get the chance to prove it.
I finally pull away from her. “Wait here. I want to give your parents my condolences again.” I kiss the tip of her nose and leave her staring after me.
Everything is falling into place, but I know I can’t do the next thing without her parents knowing. Without their blessing.
Epilogue
Shelby
One MonthLater
“I don’t want to leave.”
Tony strokes my face. “You have to get back to work,” he says, brushing a kiss over my lips. “It won’t be long before we’re together again.”
“I don’t know how I can wait for you to get moved to Houston,” I say, my voice wobbling.
He’s got a big smirk on his face. Why is he smiling like that when we have to be apart for a whole month?
“Well, maybe this will help make the time go by a little faster,” he says.
He drops to one knee in the crowded airport and pulls a box out of his pocket. What is he doing? Is he crazy? We’ve only been together a few weeks. Magical, wonderful, ecstatic weeks, but still…
He opens the box. “Shelby, would you be my wife? You’d make me so happy. Just say yes.”
He’s waiting with a big smile on his face. People have stopped to watch. I’m suddenly filled with panic. What is he doing? It’s too soon.
Tony sees my panicked expression and stands to gather me into his arms.
“It’s okay, baby. Just stop thinking and say the first thing that comes to your lips. Whatever it is will be right,” he says.
I look into his eyes, and my brain is screaming. I open my mouth, thinking I have to say no because it’s too soon—isn’t it?
Instead, what comes out is, “Yes.”
Instantly, my soul is calm. Everything falls softly into place, and I look up at my husband-to-be with my heart in my eyes. I was so sad and broken, but he’s helping me put my pieces back together again.
Tony kisses me while the cheers of fellow travelers surround us. Everything is going to be okay. No. It’s going to be more than okay. It’s going to be amazing—just like the man in my arms.
Epilogue
Tony
Six WeeksLater
The large function room at The Lockhart Club is full of family and friends who’ve come to help us celebrate our engagement.
Frankly, I would’ve been happy with a meal at our favorite Italian, just Shelby and me, but my fiancée deserves this. She deserves to let her hair down and enjoy time with her family and friends.
