Page 122 of Love In Hiding

“The exact ones we ate that night too.”

Her heart thudded so hard she felt it in her throat. Her bottom lip wobbled. She hated crying and always had, but the tears came anyway, unbothered by her usual rules. Just like her love for him was done hiding.

“The biggest, bestest hero ever,” she whispered. “I hadno ideayou remembered that.”

“Guess I’m the emotional, sentimental one now.”

“That’s right.” She sniffed the petals some more. “Hero is also getting Noelle to cut her crap until she left last month. I really appreciated that.”

“That was work. Today isn’t. Today is for us. The day for lovers.”

She looped her arms around his neck, her eyebrows wiggling some. “So… when can we be lovers tonight?”

“Soon,” he said, smirking. “You didn’t comment on me being all soft and emotional on Valentine’s Day.”

“I didn’t think you needed me to, but fine, I’m impressed. Extremely. Should I gush? Or brag to my siblings about how it’s supposed to be done right?”

“I won’t be embarrassed if you do those things,” he said, lifting his chin. “I want you to remember it. All of it. Just like I will.”

He eased out of her arms.

“Hey. No.” She grabbed for him. “Get back here. We’re supposed to be lovers now.”

“We will,” he said. “God, you’ve got no patience.”

“Nope. And you love that about me.”

“And you love that I’ve got too much.”

“Just as much as I love this playful side of you.” She let him guide her to the couch. He nudged her to sit.

Then he dropped to the floor.

Not on the floor.

On one knee.

Her breath stopped.

“You look shocked,” he said, smiling up at her.

“What are you doing?” she asked as if he were a rattlesnake getting ready to sink his fangs into her ankle. Not that she was fearful of this, just unsure that it was really happening.

“Laying it all out,” he said quietly. “And hoping to hell you don’t turn me down.”

“I’m not going to.” Her head was shaking.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring. Not flashy. Not loud. A clean, bright solitaire that glowed without screaming.

It was gorgeous.

It was perfect.

It was them—his steadiness, her fire.

“I love you, London. I love everything you bring out in me, everything I bring into your life. I can’t imagine a day you’re not in mine giving me grief, pushing my buttons, then kissing me after. I want a lifetime of that. Will you give it to me? Will you be my wife?”

“Yes,” she said instantly. “I’ll gladly keep giving you grief. And dragging feelings out of you. The same way you drag mine out. For a lifetime. As long as it’s with you.”

He slid the ring onto her finger, then tugged her clean off the couch so she toppled onto him on the floor. He wrapped his arms around her and held tight.

“I think we came to an agreement without fuss,” he murmured against her neck.

She laughed, breathless, happy, and already kissing him. “The best one we’ve ever made.”

The End!