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He nods at me, says goodbye to Jack, then walks into the house, and a few seconds later I hear the front door open and close.
“What are you doing here?” Poppy asks me softly. “You should be with Noah and your guests.”
“I needed to see you,” I tell her. “I was worried about you.”
She studies her bare feet. She’s painted her toenails a dark red. It makes me want to kiss them. “I’m sorry if I made you leave,” she says. “I shouldn’t have walked out without saying something. But I’ve been a bit emotional, and it all got too much for me.”
“It’s okay. It’s not a problem.” I move a little closer to her, slide a hand under her chin, and lift it so I can look into her eyes. “I want to apologize.”
She swallows, her throat moving against my hand. “What for?”
“For not having seen you much the last ten days or so.”
“It’s okay, you’ve been busy and you lost your mom, it’s perfectly understand—”
“Poppy,” I say gently, “let me speak.” I lower my hand and shove my hands in my pockets. “You’re right, I have been preoccupied, but that’s not a good enough excuse. I’ve missed you. And after what we shared at the lighthouse, you deserve so much more.”
She drops her gaze and presses her lips together, I think to keep the bottom one from trembling.
“I’m crazy about you,” I tell her simply. “I have been since I met you, and it’s only gotten worse since we slept together. I knew it would. And I know you promised yourself you wouldn’t fall for me, and that you don’t want a relationship because you’re worried about getting hurt again. But I want to tell you right now that if you let me, I’ll treat you like a princess, and I’ll worship the ground you walk on. I’ll be by your side for the rest of our lives, and I’ll love you and support you in whatever you want to do. I’ll adore all the wonderful children I’m sure we’ll have, and I’ll work hard to make sure they have everything they need in life. I’ll love you forever.”
She looks up at me again, her eyes brimming with tears. “Marc…” she whispers.
But I haven’t finished yet. I take my hands out of my pockets, extracting the velvet box there at the same time. I open it, revealing the diamond ring I bought down in Hamilton while I was there with Izzy.
“Poppy King,” I say, “will you marry me and put up with my grouchy ways and make me the happiest man in the world?”
She stares at me, and her jaw drops. “Oh my God,” she whispers.
I take her hand in mine and kiss her fingers.
“Did he tell you?” she asks me.
“Did who tell me what?”
She presses her fingers to her lips. “You really don’t know?”
I frown, puzzled now. “Are you talking about Charlie? He said you were sweet on me. I hope he was right.”
A tear runs down her cheek, and her fingers tremble. “Marc… I’m pregnant.”
My eyes widen. “What?” I get hurriedly to my feet. “Are you sure?”
She nods. “I didn’t think I was—I took a test and it was negative. It’s why I left Noah’s. I just felt so emotional thinking our… connection was over, and that it hadn’t worked. But Dad made me take another test. He said I could have ovulated a day later than I thought, and he was right. The test was positive.”
“Holy shit.” I grin broadly. “We’re having a baby?”
She hesitates, and my smile fades. “Don’t,” I say. “Don’t tell me you want to have it without me.” Oh Jesus. My heart is going to break if she says that.
She takes my hands in hers. “It’s not that. It’s just… If I say yes, I don’t want you thinking it’s only because I’m pregnant. That I’m frightened of having the baby alone. I need you to know I’m not marrying you because I feel I have to, you know?”
“Christ, Poppy, I don’t care. I really don’t. And I don’t care who else knows. I love you, and if you love me, that’s all that matters.”
