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All laugher abruptly ceases. Neither of us smiles now.
“I would have said yes. I came up with all these rapid-fire excuses because I was mortified that I almost screamed yes to a joke.”
“Baby,” he breathes, a redness lining his eyes. I’m grateful he holds his place. I’m about to lose it, and I need to get this out.
Studying my hand, I grab the ring on my right index finger and wiggle it loose. “I haven’t taken this off. I don’t think they even removed it during my surgery.”
“What are you doing?” Dread laces his tone.
I look him dead in the eye. “This is wrong. This isn’t how this is supposed to be.” I tug the ring off and hold it up between us. “I’m making this right.”
Without losing eye contact, I shove the ring onto my left ring finger. It slides easily to the base as if it were made for that hand. I flex my fingers as they adjust to the sensation.
“Fucking marry me.”
“What?” He coughs out his surprise.
“I said it’s my turn now. You’ve been sure about us a hell of a lot longer than I have. I’m doubling down. We’ve known each other long enough to skip past the traditional dating. I love you for more than just your skills in bed and supreme sperm. I’m asking you to marry me.”
This time when he steps forward, I don’t back down. Steel reinforces my spine. He clasps both my cheeks in his gentle hands and tilts my face to his.
“You’re proposing to me?”
“Yeah.”
His eyes search mine, and I hold my resolve steady.
“You’re sure about this?”
“Absolutely—Oh!”
The word barely leaves my lips before he drags my mouth to his in a soul-baring kiss. His palms slide from my cheeks to my temples and brush the hair from my face as he tilts my head the way he wants it. His tongue prods the seam of my lips, and I open to him, meeting his tongue with my own long, sensual strokes.
Nathan pulls away first, dropping his forehead to mine with a sigh. “Yes. When do you want to get married?”
“Tomorrow?”
He chuckles and pulls me flush against him, forcing my head back, and runs a finger down my cheek.
“No big wedding?”
I shake my head. “I’m done being the center of attention. You, me, and Cedric. Cami, Law, your mom, my parents, Mimi, and Papa.”
His smile is as big and beautiful as I’ve ever seen it.
“Let’s get our marriage license tomorrow. I’m going to marry you as soon as I can.”
“Deal.”
“Hey, Kiersten?” Nathan’s voice turns soft and shy, something I’ve never heard from him in our decade of friendship.
“Yeah?”
His grip around my torso cinches tighter. “Tell me you love me again.”
Tears instantly gather in the corners of my eyes at the hope streaming from his voice.
“I love you, Nathan.”
