Page 222 of My Dark Prince
“You already are, Oliver.” And because she was sweet, loving Briar, she dropped to her knees with me, clutching on to my shoulders. “You’ve been my safe space since the day we met.”
“And you’re mine.” I pressed a kiss to her forehead, breaking the rules for a moment, unable to help myself. Either that or combust. “If the past thirty days have told me anything, it’s that I don’t want to spend another day apart. Briar Aurora Auer, will you marry me?”
“Yes.” She held her hand out for me, watching as I slid the ring back where it belonged. “Yes, yes, yes. A million times yes.”
Around us, the crowd erupted into cheers. Blue rose petals rained down like confetti as guests plucked them from vases and tossed them down to us. We reached for each other at the same time, collapsing onto the marble in a heap of eager limbs.
“You’re viral,” the birthday girl informed us, her phone trained on Briar’s ring. “Saytoodlesto the livestream.”
Thiswouldbe karma making her presence known. I’d bullied Zach over his embarrassing public grovel only to top him.
I groaned, resting my forehead against Briar’s. “I think we might make thatTMZheadline, after all.”
Dallas clapped from the couch, hopping up and down. “Kiss her, kiss her, kiss her.”
Finally, someone with some sense.
The pianist began playing a song.Oursong. I brushed away a rose petal from Briar’s eyelashes, and then I kissed her like she was meant to be kissed – passionately, endlessly, and full of reverence.
The world blurred around us and faded into nothingness. Briar threaded her fingers through my hair, tugging me closer. She tasted like roses, and sunlight, andmine.
This time, I made the right decision.
I chose her over the world.
Epilogue
Briar
Three months later.
Dallas Costa:So, is Briar actually showing up for Thanksgiving dinner, or am I “saving her a plate” in the freezer again.
Dallas Costa:And by that, I mean MY freezer.
Frankie Townsend:ur just salty bc romeo stopped u from guarding the pumpkin pie with ur life.
Dallas Costa:He shipped it in from Emporium!! I swear, for every minute she’s late, I’m taking a bite of her slice as compensation.
Briar Cooper:Sorry, sorry. Just landed. The flight got delayed twice.
Farrow Ballantine-Sun:Still dead set on commercial?
Briar Cooper:I’m wavering … Remind me again why the planet is important.
Dallas Costa:Um, where else will I grow pumpkins for pumpkin pie?
Farrow Ballantine-Sun:Is the farmer in the chat with us? I sure as hell know it’s not you, the Botanic Butcher of Potomac.
Dallas Costa:Someone needs to be the taste tester. It’s called delegating.
Briar Cooper:Ollie’s driver picked me up. I’m on my way.
Dallas Costa:Just make sure you’re here before the dogs eat all the food. They’re eyeing the turkey.
Briar Cooper:I’m a vegetarian …
Dallas Costa:Stop reminding me. My soul literally weeps every time you do.
