Page 127 of Reckless

I look downand…

Whoa.

The flash goesoff.

Ethan is on one knee holding up a small, velvetbox.

“Oh, my God!” I jump up and down.“YES!”

Our families laugh, and Ethan gives me a wide smile. “Baby, I think you’re supposed to wait until Iask.”

I laugh, my pulse racing.I can be quiet. Ithink.

Taking my hand in his, he clears his throat. “Tori, in such a short time, you’ve become everything to me. My best friend, my soulmate, my confidante. Thank you for bringing me back to life. For showing me how to take challenges in stride. For believing in me. I love you like I’ve never loved anyone one else, and it would be my greatest honor if you’d be mywife.”

That sound? That’s the sound of my heart melting all over the pavement. “I love you too, Ethan.” He blurs through my tears. “Can I say yes now?” I whisper. When he nods, I tackle him in a hug. “YES!”

The flash keeps going off, and there’s a crowd of tourists oohing and awwing, and I’m crying all thetears.

His strong arms wrap around me, and he sits me on his knee. “You might want to see the ring before you say yes,” hejokes.

I grab his handsome face in my hands. “You could give me a trinket out of a vending machine, and I’d still say yes.”Truth.

Those baby-blue eyes on my rugged man mist a little. “But my girl deserves diamonds.” He opens the velvet box and pulls out a blinding ring with a stunning rock in the middle and a gazillion small diamonds all around. “It’s an eternity setting because that’s how long I plan to loveyou.”

Sniffling, I tuck my face into his neck because I’m overwhelmed. “Love you too. So, so much.” I breathe him in and take a minute to count my blessings. “Does this mean we get to ride off into thesunset?”

Gently, he lifts my face to his and wipes away the tears. “Absolutely. You’ll be mine,” he whispers. “Always andforever.”

I smile against his kiss. “Always andforever.”

Once upon a time, I didn’t believe in fairytales.

But then I found myprince.

And we saved eachother.