Page 98 of Wild Mistake
Please hold all questions until the end.
“Okay, shall we get started?”
He made a freaking PowerPoint presentation. I’m too stunned to do anything other than stare at the wall.
“It’s come to my attention that we have several options. Option A.” Aiden clicks a button, and the wall lights up with a new series of words that he reads aloud. “Move to Phoenix. Now, this option includes several pros, including but not limited to, Gabe and Parker attending their old school.” He taps the computer keyboard. “More dining options for date nights. Proximity to top doctors and treatments for your fibromyalgia.”
He doesn’t spare me a glance, so he doesn’t notice as my eyes mist.
“Of course, the cons, in my opinion, are that we’ll be farther from family, but thanks to this modern invention called a car, we can visit whenever we want.” He flips to the next slide. “Option B is we buy this house. Or one in a similar price range. We make our home here in Wilder Valley and put lots of miles on our vehicles driving the boys to and from weekends with their dad. Though, I guess that’s a con. You can work at the diner, if you want. Or you can do anything else. Because I’ll start the fire academy training and take a job at the firehouse by the end of the year. I have more than enough in savings to last us until then.
“Obvious cons, Gabe and Parker hate it here. Though, maybe they wouldn’t if they each had their own room and bathroom, which this place has. We could even bribe them with a car, though that’s probably not on the table given Gabe’s accident.” He winces. “Too soon?”
I blink back tears, but they’re impossible to stop. “Aiden.”
He holds up a finger. “Ma’am, the presentation is not over yet. Please hold all questions until the end.”
I laugh through my tears.
“Option C is sort of a choose your own adventure. It can include some or all of the elements in A and B. We can move wherever you want. It can be permanent or temporary. All that matters is we’re together.”
My heart swells. My breath shakes. I’m overwhelmed by it all. The generosity. The thoughtfulness. The love.What the hell was I thinking attempting to keep this man out of my life?
“Also, an addendum that can be added to any of these plans is marriage.”
I can’t sit in this stupid chair anymore. I push to my feet and close the space between us.
“I am ready to make you my wife, whenever you are ready. Next week or next year.”
I wrap my arms around his neck, careful not to knock the laptop out of his hand. “Are you seriously asking me to be your wife with a PowerPoint presentation?”
“Ma’am. All questions need to be held until the end.”
“Oh?”
He grins, sliding his arm around my back to tap the screen. The wall lights up with the final slide.
Questions?
A burst of laughter pushes past my lips. “How did I get so lucky to deserve you?”
“Correction.” He presses his forehead to mine, holding my body tight. “I’m the lucky one.”
“I love you, Aiden Wilder.”
“I love you, too. Forever and always. With my whole damn heart. Let’s make a life together. I don’t care where we do it, or what it looks like as long as I’m with you.”
EPILOGUE
AIDEN
FOUR MONTHS LATER
Life is beautiful.It’s also hard. Messy. Disappointing. Surprising. Heartbreaking. Precious. But it’s a gift and one I refuse to waste. When I think about everything I had to go through to end up back with Sarah, it feels like a miracle.
After much consideration we decided to buy a house in Wilder Valley. She never asked the boys what they wanted. We considered letting them weigh in on the decision but ultimately Sarah decided she wanted to be here. She loves the community she’s found, and the boys settle in more each month.
Plus, it helps that Gabe no longer complains about hating it here. Since the accident, he’s been different. He’s not as angry. He’s kinder to Sarah. The crash scared him. It did all of us, but I think it matured him. There’s a certain level of invincibility that comes with youth, and Gabe had a first-hand reminder of how everything can change in an instant.
