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w Year's Eve?”
“How did you know?”
“I’m gifted, sixth sense or something like that. Shall we go in? For a pint or something less alcoholic for you.”
The place looks dark, only a faint glow coming from inside. “I think they’re closed anyway.”
Will grabs my hand, then twists the handle of the door with his other.
“Will, I don’t think we should be trespassing. Alistair is married to an Aussie. His wife has probably taught him how to fight with crocodiles, and it’s likely he carries a knife. I mean, didn’t you watch Crocodile Dundee? That’s not a knife. This is a knife…”
“Ava?” Will turns to me, narrowing his eyes. “Can you shut up for just one moment?”
“Just because you’re a billionaire doesn’t mean you can boss me around.”
Inside the pub, music plays. It’s some lame song, but then it continues to a remix of the music Alistair played on New Year's Eve. The same night…
Then, the lights come on, and standing in the middle of the dance floor is Austin, dressed in a navy-blue suit, looking so handsome it hurts to be standing apart from him.
“Austin?” I gulp, my heart racing from seeing him. “What are you doing here?”
He moves close to me and strokes my cheek gently. I take a large savoring breath, closing my eyes at his touch.
“I don’t like what happened this morning between us, Ava.”
I shake my head. “I know, I was an idiot. I feel stupid for acting so—”
“Crazy?”
“Amongst many words which can be used to describe me.”
Austin reaches out for my hands, holding onto both of them. His stare is unwavering, deep, and reaching every part of my soul.
“You were standing right beside me the first time I proposed marriage to someone. I had no idea what I was doing or thinking, but I thought it was the right thing to do, even though something inside was bothering me. I was trying to prove a point to everyone, and marriage should never be about anyone else.” He takes a deep breath, but his hands remain steady, then slowly, a grin spreads across his face. “With you, Ava, everything is wrong yet so right at the same time. I feel like I’ve known you my entire life. We’re more than just two people who stumbled into this bar looking for something to take away the pain.”
I watch his soft gaze, the way his lips move when he talks, to how vulnerable and raw his words are.
“You are more than the mother of my beautiful daughter. You’re the reason I breathe, Ava. My life has never felt so complete until now. I’m not going to hold back anymore, nor be afraid of you running from me. I love you. I can’t stop thinking about you, and when we’re apart, it’s you I want. You I crave. I don’t care what people think. I care about what is right for us.”
Austin releases his hands from mine to reach into his pocket. With his stare still fixated on me, he removes the ring from the box and places it on my finger without even a pause, nor the traditional stop and wait for the woman’s reaction.
“In so many ways, Ava, I’ve always loved you. And I never want to ever stop. I want to build a life with you. I want to grow our family. I want to see us both follow our passions, and most importantly, I want you in my arms every day for as long as I breathe.
“Ava Edwards, I give you this ring to symbolize my commitment to making you my wife. There is nothing else I want, so please… ” Austin’s breath finally hitches as his eyes soften, only for tears to stream down my cheeks. “Listen to what your heart is telling you, and tell me your forever is me by your side as your husband.”
I nod, unable to choke back my tears, my mouth hurting from the grin bearing so wide.
“You are my forever,” I whisper, touching his lips with my fingers. “I would be honored to be your wife.”
Austin’s hazel eyes shimmer as his entire face beams with pride. He cups my face to place a kiss on my lips, the warmth of his touch spreading throughout me. How did I get so lucky to fall in love with such a beautiful man who knows exactly my fears yet protects me from falling prey to them?
We pull away for Austin to place a kiss on Emmy’s head.
“I love you, Ava,” he whispers.
“You don’t know how much I needed to hear that.”
“I do,” he tells me, then continues, “I was scared of pushing you but knew my hesitation only made you doubt my love for you.”
