Words Left Unsaid (Love Hurts 3)

She lets out a laugh, her bright eyes twinkling as I balance the ring on my pointer finger.

“Kiara Rose Wilson, will you marry me?”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Kiara

I bite my lip. I can’t believe this is happening. How did I not see this coming? As I run over the signs in my head, I remember that Max is standing before me, on one knee, in the pouring rain, waiting for me to answer.

“Yes,” I grin.

His face lights up. “Yes?” he re

peats, shocked.

I laugh again. He really did think I’d say no. I reach for his hand and watch as he slides the ring onto my finger. The diamond sparkles against the glistening of the rain and I can’t wipe the smile off my face.

“I may have only known you a few months, but I’ve been watching life pass me by for years. I’m ready to live,” I whisper.

He stands up and throws his arms around my neck, indulging me in a deep, lingering kiss. Our mouths part, but only for a moment. I pull him toward me and kiss him again, never wanting to let him go.

“This is one of the happiest days of my life,” I whisper, brushing my lips against his. “Thank you for being you.”

“Thank you for saying yes,” he chuckles. “Now, if you don’t have any objections, I’d like to take you home, fuck you senseless and then not let you leave my sights for the next day or two.

Rubbing my lips together, I smile, my body tingling at the thought.

“As wonderful as that sounds,” she giggles, wrapping her arms around my neck, “you’ll have to limit the fucking and snuggling to tonight. Tomorrow, I need to tell Tilly about us.”

“I guess I can agree to that,” he mutters. I shriek as he lifts me into his arms and carries me back up the path to his car, stopping every few steps to kiss me passionately. Laughing, I wipe tears from my eyes. This guy is crazy, stupid and I love him so fucking much. This has been one of the best nights of my life. I feel blessed to have found him. Some people never get to experience real love.

I’ve been lucky enough to have found it twice.

***

The next morning, as much as I don’t want to, we drag ourselves out of bed. I need to speak to Tilly and the longer I leave, it the sicker I feel. It’s just after noon by the time we arrive at Ellie and Grant’s. Max parks the car and waits as I finish the conversation with my mom, who had called on the drive over to check up on me.

“I’m so happy for you, Honey,” Mom says, in between tears. “He’s a good catch. I can tell from how Ellie speaks about him how much he loves you, and you deserve all the love in the world.”

“Thanks, Mom,” I whisper, wiping the tears from my eyes. I hold up my hand and stare at the ring again. It all feels so surreal. I’m excited and nervous about telling Tilly the news.

“I can’t wait to get back home and meet him,” she gushes. “I miss you all so much.”

“We miss you too,” I say, tears springing in my eyes. Having her away at times like this is hard, and I’m lucky to have so much love and support around me. I end the call and take a moment to gather my thoughts. This is a huge deal for me, but it’s nothing compared to the change it’s going to be for Tilly.

“Are you ready?” Max asks.

“I think so?” God, I’m so nervous about how Tilly is going to react. Maybe I shouldn’t have said yes until after I’d spoken with her. I swallow the lump in my throat and get out of the car.

Elli meets us at the door. It takes her all of five seconds to notice the huge diamond on my finger. Her eyes widen and she lurches forward, grabbing hold of my hand.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” she shrieks, and I wince.

“Shhh, I’d rather Tilly hear it from me,” I hiss. Not at all fazed, she drags me inside the door while Max follows, chuckling.

“Calm down, she’s playing outside.” Ellie waves her hand. “Grant!”

I roll my eyes. So much for a quiet reveal. Grant comes in to see what the commotion is about. I don’t even get a chance to speak before Ellie blurts out our news.