Page 73 of No Vacancy
He arched an eyebrow. “I found out soon enough, didn’t I?”
“You did.” I held his gaze as I swirled a stick in marinara sauce.
“I loved you from the second I saw you. Confused the shit out of me, but I couldn’t ignore it.” His lips curved as he leaned back.
“Ignoring it didn’t work for me, either. I tried, but …” I shrugged. “No use.”
“I remember that, too.” His eyes darted around the room. He seemed jumpy and impatient for some reason. “Grab your coat. I want to show you something.”
“Ugh, Joe.” I groaned. “Can I finish my tea first before I freeze up again?”
“Come on, it’s just for a minute.” He stood and grabbed my coat from where it was draped over the seat.
“Fine.” I shrugged it on and stuffed my hands into my pockets as I followed Joe outside. “Where did you get all these?” I eyed the lanterns half buried in the sand around the patio. “Is this for the Christmas promo? I can’t believe I didn’t think of it last year. Maybe we could get a couple of space heaters? How much would it be to rent a few or maybe we could buy—”
I trailed off when I turned and couldn’t find Joe behind me, my breath catching in my throat when I realized he was down on one knee.
“Joe, I …” A sob choked my words before I could say anything. Joe was it for me. I’d known that for longer than I wanted to admit to myself, but now that the moment was here, my head spun as a ton of emotions swirled through me. Tears streamed down my cold cheeks as I remained totally speechless.
“I meant what I said. I loved you from the second I saw you, and I never stopped. What we have is something I’d never expected. I never thought I had room for anyone else in my life, but I can’t live without you. Youaremy life. I know we’re together in all the ways it matters, but I want us to be permanent. Forever. Because that’s how long I’m going to love you. Will you marry me?”
He dug into his back pocket and opened a black velvet box. I couldn’t see too much detail from the dim light of the lanterns or the tears clouding my eyes, but my breathing quickened at the sparkle in the middle of the box.
“Yes,” I managed to croak out. “All I want is forever with you. Yes.” I grabbed his face and crashed my lips into his. “Can you put the ring on my finger before it freezes off?”
He laughed against my lips as he slid it on, pulling me down to kneel before he kissed me, long and deep enough to forget about the icy wind surrounding us.
“When do you want to start forever?” he asked before rolling me onto my back. The sand was frigid, but I didn’t care. I was too lit up inside.
“How does now sound?”
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