Page 67 of Stopping Short

“To you, Jackson! I want to get married to you!” She swats at my chest, making me chuckle.

I grab her hands and pull her into me. I press a soft kiss to her forehead and wrap my arms around her body. I love just having her in my arms. Knowing she’s mine and no one will ever take her away from me.

“I want to get married to you too, beautiful.”

“When?”

“When do you want to get married?”

“Now.”

“Well, it’s almost midnight on a Saturday. I don’t think there’s anywhere we can go to get married right this second. Plus, you need a ring.”

“I don’t care about a ring.”

“Maddox said I had to be dating you for at least a month.”

“I think his timeline has changed since he got shot. He’ll probably settle for a son-in-law who doesn’t shoot him.”

I chuckle as I think back to the events from tonight. While Harper was talking to Evan, I was talking to Cali and Maddox.

“I love her,” I whisper, leaning forward with my elbows on my knees. My hands are folded and I'm staring down at the ground. I don’t know how Maddox is going to respond to what I say next, but I need to get it out.

“Marry her,” he says before I can go on.

“What?” My head snaps up and when I lock eyes on him, I can see the sincerity staring back at me.

“Marry Harper. We both know you want to. If we’re being honest, you’ve dreamed of marrying her for a while.”

“She’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

“I know. She loves you and you love her. You two have basically been dating for years. I don’t see a reason to stand in your way. Ask her to marry you… without an audience. That way if she wants to turn you down, she can.”

I chuckle, knowing he’s talking about Evan most likely proposing in front of a crowd so she’d say yes.

“I’d never propose in front of other people. Our relationship is only between the two of us. She’s all that matters.”

“I know. When you showed up at the hospital…” Cali shakes her head, her hand covering her mouth as a sob breaks free.

“Come over here, baby.” Maddox holds out his uninjured arm and smiles softly when Cali sits on the edge of the bed and takes his hand in hers.

“The way you looked at her… it was how Maddox looked at me after he saved me. I knew right then and there that you were the man she’s meant to be with. You love her in a way no one else ever will. So, buy the ring. Propose to her. Make her the happiest she’ll ever be.”

“Well… I kind of already bought the ring.” I wince as I reach into my pocket and pull out the ring box I picked up this morning.

As soon as Harper left for Pittsburgh, I went ring shopping. I paid extra to have the ring sized quickly and was able to get it on my way to work today.

“Let me see!” Cali swipes at her tears and holds out a hand. I quickly open the box and hand it over. “Oh my gosh! Jackson! This is her dream ring.”

“I know. She sent me a picture of it a long time ago and I’ve been saving that photo, hoping I’d need it one day.”

“Why am I not surprised that you bought the ring long before I gave my blessing?” Maddox rolls his eyes, but he’s not upset.

“Because getting your blessing was a sure thing.” I grin. “You both love me and wouldn’t tell me no.”

“That’s true,” Cali murmurs.

“Shh! He’s supposed to work for my love and respect. He can’t know he already has it!”