Sunset In Central Park (From Manhattan with Love 2)

“Why do you think I told you all those things about myself? Because I trust you. I love you. I think I’ve loved you for a long time. And the reason I freaked out was not because I didn’t want what you were offering, but because I wanted it so, so much.” She could barely see him through the sheen of her tears. “None of my relationships have ever mattered before. I didn’t want them to matter. I saw what happened when they mattered. And then there was you—”

“Frankie—”

“You broke down every barrier I’ve ever put up. Being with you was exciting, it was fun. And it was relaxing because for the first time in my life I wasn’t carrying secrets. I’ve spent my life being scared of intimacy but I see now that intimacy can be good. There’s nothing better than being with someone who really knows you, and you know me. I’m terrified of loving you.” She swallowed. “But I’m even more terrified of losing you. I want to hold on to what we have and never let it go and I don’t know how to do that. I—I’m new to this. I’m going to need a manual or something.”

“I’ll be your manual. We’ll work it out together.” He stroked his fingers through her hair. “Earlier you said you had something you wanted to give me?”

“Yes.” She dug her hand into her pocket and pulled out the object she’d been carrying around. “Here.” She pushed it into his hand and he studied it with raised eyebrows.

“You rushed home to give me the ring pull from your soda can?”

“I was improvising. You need to use your imagination.” Nerves fluttered in her stomach. “It’s a ring. Maybe not the prettiest ring, or the most valuable ring, but that isn’t what counts, is it? It’s symbolic.”

His expression changed. “Is it?”

“Yes. It signifies how much I love you.”

There was a gleam in his eyes. “You love me as much as a can of cola?”

“In case you hadn’t noticed I love diet cola, so in fact, that would be a lot.” She knew he was teasing her, but suddenly her courage faltered. “Of course, if you’ve changed your mind—”

“I am never going to change my mind, and it so happens I’ve been carrying something around, too.” He dug his hand into his pocket and pulled out a box. “This is for you.”

She stared at the box, recognizing the delicate logo of Tempest Designs, Skylar’s company. “This is from Emily’s store on Puffin Island. You already bought me a starfish necklace—”

“This isn’t a starfish necklace. Open it.”

She took it from him and discovered that her fingers were shaking. Flipping open the lid, she saw a large diamond in an unusual and beautiful setting. “Oh. Oh, Matt. You bought this when we were on the island?”

“Yes.” He took the ring and slid it onto her finger. “Francesca Cole, will you marry me?”

She could hardly breathe. “That depends—”

His gaze grew wary. “On—?”

“On whether you can keep up with my sex drive. I’ve wasted a lot of time.”

The corners of his mouth flickered. “Are you fli

rting with me?”

“I don’t know how to flirt. I’m telling the truth.” She slid her arms around his neck and pressed her mouth to his. “Have I scared you?”

He gave a slow smile. “Nowhere near as much as you scared Eddy.”

“I was thinking that we could let Roxy stay in my apartment as long as she needs to.”

“You’re going to move more than your toothbrush?”

“I think it’s time. Does this mean I get to adopt your cat, too?”

“I’m afraid so. Does that affect your answer?”

“No. I want to marry you, Matt.” She eased her mouth away from his, happiness engulfing her like a burst of sunshine. She was marrying him. She was marrying Matt. Her best friend. Her lover. “So is that it? Have we finished here?”

“Finished? I haven’t even started.” And then he was kissing her, a hot, hard kiss that made her brain melt and her limbs shaky.

When he finally lifted his head, Frankie realized they’d attracted a small crowd of people, some with cameras, all of them watching with rapt attention.