Page 82 of Convincing Alex

“It’s fair.” He waited a beat. “Okay, I’m ready.”

Before she could laugh, he was down on one knee. “What are you doing?”

“A proper proposal of marriage.” He nearly launched into his humble little speech. Instead, his eyes darkened when she continued to laugh. “You don’t want one.”

“Damn right I want one. But I want you up here.” She took his hand to tug him back to the couch so that they were at eye level with each other. “I want you to look me right in the eye.”

“Okay, then I get something I want, too.”

“Name it.”

“I want to hear you say it.” He caught her hand, brought it to his cheek. “I want very much to hear you say it. I need to hear the words from you.”

“I love you, Alexi.” For the first time, she said the words smiling, knowing they would be taken as they were meant. “I’m going to love you forever.”

He turned his face so that his lips pressed into her palm. Taking the ring out of the box, he slipped it onto her finger. It shot out a rainbow of color. As he linked his fingers with hers, he lifted his head. “Be my family.” He shook his head before she could speak and felt himself stumble. “I meant to be romantic. Let me—”

“No.” Overwhelmed, she laid a hand over his lips. “That was perfect. Don’t change it. Don’t change anything.”

“Then say yes.”

“Yes.” She threw her arms around him and laughed. “Oh, yes... ?.”

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