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He squeezed me so hard I thought my ribs might crack. Did I care? I did not. I was in his arms and I was neverevergoing to let him go again. “I love you.”
“What’s that?”
“I love you, Jake Walker.”
Now he was shaking as well, and he wouldn’t let me go. “I love you, too, Emma Carter.”
“You know we’re trying to play a game of baseball right now, yeah?” the pitcher observed wryly.
“Shush.” Jake admonished the pitcher, then set me on my feet. But that was only so he could go down on one knee.
“What are you doing?”
And pull a ring box from his back pocket.
My heart pounding, I said, “Jake?”
Someone squealed and I glanced up. Everyone in the bleachers was standing up, watching us. An expectant hush had fallen over the crowd. I turned my gaze back to Jake, forgetting they were there.
His eyes were stormy with emotion, his voice thick. “Emma.” He opened the box and held it up to me. A small, perfect diamond winked in the overhead lights.
“Oh my god.”
“I promised myself that if I ever got another chance to give you this, I would grab it with both hands. So here I am. I love you, Emma. You’re my one and only. It’s always been you. It will always be you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”
I didn’t hesitate. My voice was clear and sure. No more running for me. I was home and I was never leaving. “Yes. Yes, I absolutely will.”
Jake jumped to his feet and wrapped his arms around me again and I hugged him right back, my heart beating wildly, happy tears glimmering in my eyes now.
“I love you.”
“I love you, too.” I pulled back enough to take his face in my hands, smile into his gorgeous eyes, and kiss him. “Oh god, everyone’s cheering.”
“And some people want to play baseball, apparently.”
I giggled. “Some people also want to put their engagement ring on. Seriously, you brought it to the game with you?”
“Of course.” Jake took it from the box and slipped it on my finger. “Holy fuck, you’re freezing! Where’s your coat?”
“Left it in the car. Such a dumbass.”
With his arm around my shoulders, he kept me close to his side as we walked from the field to the dugout. Everyone was still clapping and cheering, even the opposition team. I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face.
“Reggie, you can have my bat. I’m gonna take my fiancée home.”
Home.
“Jesus, man, congrats and all, but don’t make me bat! Bases are loaded and I would actually like to win this game.”
Jake lifted me into the dugout and went straight to his duffel bag, pulling out his coat and wrapping it around me.
“I don’t mind if you want to take your hit.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yeah, if I’m allowed to watch from here.” I wasn’t ready to be too far away from him yet. Two guys sitting on the bench shuffled to the side, making room for me. “And hit a home run on the first pitch so you aren’t out there too long.”
He leaned down to press a hard kiss to my lips. “On it.” He stepped back onto the field. The crowd went wild and with a wide grin on his face, Jake gave them a wave, then picked up his bat. A few warm-up swings and he was in position.
