When I Say Yes (Necklace Trilogy 3)

I laugh. “I don’t know about that.”

“I do. Allie, I was going to wait until Christmas Day to do this, but I can’t wait. I can’t think of another day of my life without you.”

“Well, let’s hope you don’t have to. I think I have a personal bodyguard.”

“Me,” he says. “Allie, marry me.”

I blink. “What?”

“Marry me. I cannot be without you.”

“Dash,” I say, tears welling in my eyes. “You don’t have to do this, and don’t do this tonight when you’re affected by what happened.”

“This isn’t about tonight.” He reaches into his pocket, producing a stunning circle diamond that glistens in the light. “I already planned to propose, baby. I love you and I feel like I almost lost you tonight. I just—I needed to do it now.”

Tears escape down my cheeks. “Oh my God.” The tears become real crying, an explosion of emotion.

Dash pushes to his feet and folds me close, his hand pressed between my shoulder blades. “I’m sorry.” He strokes hair from my face. “I’m so sorry, Allie. This was horrible timing. I just thought—”

“Yes,” I whisper. “Yes, I will marry you and no, it’s not bad timing. It’s perfect timing because that man—he made me feel—and you make me feel—yes,” I say again.

“Are you sure?”

“Oh my God, Dash. Are you serious? Of course, I’m sure.”

“Then why are you crying?” he asks, wiping the tears from my cheek.

“Happy tears and just emotional overload. I need to sit.”

He eases his hold on me and I sit back down. He goes down on his knee again in front of me. “You want to put the ring on?”

“Yes. Of course, I do. It’s gorgeous.” I hold out my hand and Dash slides the ring on my finger. “I love it so much,” I say, looking down at him. “And I love you.” I wrap my arms around his neck. “Now get me naked and make me forget that man’s hands on my body.”

“Allie,” he says softly, tenderly.

“I’m serious.” I stand and he stands with me. “Make me forget.” I tug on his shirt.

He pulls it over his head, and then leans around me, turning off the water. The next thing I know, he’s scooped me up again, and this time he carries me to bed. Dash undresses me slowly, kissing me tenderly everywhere. And when we are naked and he’s inside me, we make love. I am lost in him and everything else fades away.

CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR

The next day, I wake with Dash wrapped around me from behind, the warmth of his body and a ring on my finger. I stare at the stunning stone, thinking about the proposal rather than the horrible events of the night before.

“What are you thinking?” Dash asks, nuzzling my neck, and letting me know he’s awake.

“How much I love it and you,” I say, and just that easily, passion consumes us.

It’s a long time later when we shower and dress, and just in time. The doorbell rings and my mother and stepfather are here. Of course, my mother is freaked out, but the minute she sees my ring, worry shifts to happiness. “This calls for a celebratory breakfast,” she declares and then takes over our kitchen.

Bella, of course, calls me and Dash to check on us, but she’s still with Tyler. I think Dash is right. She is becoming involved with Tyler, which worries me only because he’s a damaged man, more damaged now by the pain of betrayal and loss. But things happen for a reason. Maybe, just maybe, they are meant to come together.

Karen, the detective from last night, shows up in the late afternoon, and picks up the necklace, asking only a few more questions. I’m sure more will follow, but for now, I have a break.

Later that evening, Bella comes over, brings dinner, and raves about my ring. We have a moment alone and I seize it. “You and Tyler?”

“I don’t know what this is,” she says. “I saw him hurting and I just needed to be there for him. That’s all.”

“Are you sure you’re not setting yourself up for trouble? He’s hurting, rebounding, and grieving, all at the same time.”

“I know he’s in a bad place. I know getting close to him now is risky, but I’m not turning my back on him. Besides, we’ve always been friends.”

There is a part of me that can’t see Tyler right now as anyone but Jack’s son, but she can. And maybe that is exactly how she saves him. When she leaves, I walk to the star on the tree and make a wish for her and for Tyler to just be safe and happy.

***

Against Dash’s wishes, I go back to work on Monday, aware that stability is needed by those in the office.

I’m shocked to discover Tyler has returned as well. I intend to go check on him, but he finds me first, stepping into my office and shutting the door. “I’m sorry for what happened to you, Allie.”