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“Easton.” She says my name as her eyes shimmer with tears, but I can’t stop until I get it all out.
“I should’ve made you listen to me that day. Made you see the truth. All that time we lost because I didn’t step up.” She tries to speak, but I cut her off. “Back at the cabin, I never should have let you leave. I should’ve locked you up until you listened to reason. Tied you to the bed if I had to. And before you even start going off about how I lied, I’d do everything all over the same way. I may have lied to you, but I don’t regret keeping you there. Because every single second with you back in my arms was like breathing again. So, go ahead and be mad about that, but I refuse to apologize for going after something I want.”
“Easton—”
“No. I’m done giving you your space. You’ve had plenty of time to think, and from now on, I’m calling the shots.” I reach into my back pocket and pull out the black box. Then I drop to one knee. She gasps and covers her mouth. “Callie Baker, you stole my heart the day I walked into that bar. They always say a woman changes a man’s life. And damn, you’ve changed mine. I know what it feels like to be with you and how it does to be without you, and I swear to God, I’m done with the second.
“I promise I’ll never lie to you. I vow always to love you and love you hard. And if you say yes, I swear to God, I’ll spend the rest of my life proving just how deep that love runs. You own me, Cal. Heart. Soul. Everything.” I pause to take a breath. “Now, I’m going to ask you to marry me. I know you love me, and goddammit, I love you. Let’s spend the rest of our lives proving it to each other.” I open the box, and her eyes land on the diamond ring. “So, what do you say? You going to say yes and marry me? I’m not above throwing you over my shoulder and kidnapping you until you come to your senses. ”
I figured I would render her speechless. So I give her another beat or two before I step in.
“Get that lip out of your mouth, babe.”
“You’re like. . . proposing to meright now?”
“Yeah, I am.”
She blinks and drops her gaze to the ring. “But. . .”
“Just say yes, Cal.”
She looks at me, then at Tory. “Don’t look atme,” Tory says and throws her hands up.
Her eyes are filled with tears when her gaze falls back on me. “I thought you didn’t want this anymore.”
“Not a second goes by that I don’t want everything from you. Your love, your kindness. Your touch, comfort, quirky habits. I’d vow to drink martinis with you every fucking night—”
“Careful what you wish for,” Tory mumbles. Cal jabs her finger at her friend, silently shutting her up.
“This is our destiny, Cal. You and me.”
“Are you sure?”
“Say yes, Cal.”
She steps from foot to foot, her damn lip still between her teeth. I’m giving her three seconds to give me an answer. Then I’m taking matters into my own hands. I get to two when she lunges at me, taking me to the ground. I wrap my arms around her and tug her close.
“Easton, I thought I ruined everything.”
“Say yes, Cal.”
“I should have stayed. Argued until we worked—”
“Say yes, Cal.”
“I never should have—”
“Dammit, Cal—”
“Yes. Yes!” She spreads kisses like a mad woman all over my face. My chest swells. I tug her closer, cup her cheeks, and claim her mouth. I kiss her like my life depends on it.
“Finally!” Tory says. “I knew this is how it would end up.”
Callie pulls away and looks over at her. “Wait. . . how would you know?”
“Well, I mean. I just assumed if, by some chance, he came here. . .” Callie squirms out of my arms and stands.
“Did you know he was coming here?” Tory gives herself away, looking guilty as fuck.
