Page 135 of Charming Mr Carrington
When we told Zoe I was Mommy’s boyfriend, she was very excited.At first, she didn’t know what it meant and asked about plumbing a few times.Then, as we began to spend more time together, there was an adjustment period.
Carrying her to bed when she falls asleep in my arms is something I never take for granted.
I never will.
I want these two girls in my life forever.
Zander has already told us all we are a pack of assholes, jokingly—I think—for falling in love.
Well, he’s going to hate me when we get home.
Licking her fingers after digging into the Pacific Crayfish, Gemma lifts her champagne and grins at me.
I smile back.
“What?”she asks with mischief in her eyes.“Don’t you like this dress?”
I let out a laugh.“It’s a favorite.I just don’t think you should tell the truth when your dad asks what you were wearing when I asked you to marry me.”
Her smile vanishes.
“What?”
I nod at her champagne.
Gemma’s eyes drop like lead to her glass, and she gasps.
Corny, I know, but fuck it.You only do this once, right?
Flustered, she climbs to her knees and holds the glass out as if it’s about to explode.
I laugh, take it from her, down the golden liquid and suck on the ring.
Then I take her hand.
“Gemma, you’ve upended my life and caused me great harm by stealing my heart.I was supposed to be single forever and never fall in love.If you don’t say yes to being my wife, I will be alone and miserable forever.”
“Wow.I guess the romance ends now.”Gemma grimaces but then laughs.
“Seriously, sweetheart.I never knew I was capable of loving anyone like this.You are my everything.You and Zoe.”
Her eyes water.
“Let’s be a family.Let’s be husband and wife and make babies.You are it for me.”
“You are it for me.This time I want it to be forever, God.Don’t take this man from me.”She sniffs.“This one is good.”
“I try to be.You make me want to be the best man I can be.”I feel emotion stirring and swore I wouldn’t cry.
Sebastian said I would—he was the only one I told that I was proposing.
Fuck you, Sebastian.I will not cry.
“Hurry up and say yes, woman.”I squeeze her hand.“Forever starts now.”
“Yes.”Gemma sniffs.“Yes, I’ll marry you, Drew Carrington.”
The ring slides on effortlessly, the square diamond glittering from her hand, but I don’t get to see it for long.Gemma leaps onto my lap and wraps her arms around me.
We kiss deeply, my heart connecting with hers in a way that feels different now that my ring is on her finger.
“You know I’m naked under this, right?”Gemma rasps against my lips.
“Oh, I know.”I smile.“And I have plans for this body tonight.”
Our mouths crash together once more.
I am the luckiest man alive.Nearly the stupidest, but thankfully, I got a second chance.
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