Blyssful Lies (The Blyss Trilogy 2)

I lick my lips nervously, looking at Travis, wondering where he’s going with this. Will he tell me he loves me? God, I hope so. I’m ready to tell him, but I feel so foolish for doing so, since I don’t even know who I am, what I like, or where I live. Heck, I may never know. Why would someone want to pick up this kind of baggage?

My heart plummets to my feet when he pulls away from me and drops down on one knee. Taking my left hand into his, my other hand automatically covers my mouth and I hold my breath. My heart speeds up in anticipation, as I think he’s going to pop the question.

Looking down on him now, his gaze locks with mine and he starts speaking with the utmost sincerity. “Julianna, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking this over, and I know I’ll never find another you. I’m not the best with words, but I know this much: I can’t imagine my life without you in it; our past, whether we remember it or not, doesn’t matter.” He shakes his head with conviction. “None of it matters. It’s only the future I want to see you in.” Travis then reaches into his front pocket with his free hand, never removing his gaze from mine, revealing a small box. My eyes prick with happy tears as my pulse spikes.

He pops open the lid on the box with one hand and I gasp. “Jules, please make me a complete man; marry me. I don’t want to wait another day to make you mine. Please, say yes.”

As I gaze down, a sparkling round diamond shimmers against the morning light coming in through the windows. I bite my lower lip, not knowing what to think. I wasn’t expecting him to pop the question, not at all. I squint as I take in the ring’s sharply defined features. It’s a white gold ring, highly detailed, and the pattern on the sides slightly mimics my medallion, with parts of the metal interweaving.

I lift my gaze to Travis’; his handsome morning scruff is displayed prominently across his jawline, and his sparkling eyes are emanating true adoration. I think to myself, What a strong, loving, and handsome man. How did I get so lucky?

I’m totally flabbergasted as he takes the ring out of the box and gently slips it onto my ring finger. “Please…say yes.” I pull my trembling hand away, wanting to inspect the engagement ring a little closer. This is all so surreal. I’m excited and giddy feeling as my right hand fondly touches the gold and the miniature diamonds that surround the larger center stone.

My head tilts to the side while my forehead creases with growing confusion. For some reason, I vaguely remember something about an engagement ring from my past. I close my eyes briefly, clearing my thoughts and trying to bring the past into focus.

I’m remembering things; bits and pieces of scenes and images as they flash by in my mind at lightning speed. After a moment, the confusion begins to settle, and the turbulence stills, the air becoming stifling. I can’t seem to breathe. The engagement ring is apparently the crux of me being able to regain my memory. The blow of knowledge hits me with such force I couldn’t process an emotional reaction if I tried.

Travis stretches his hand out for me to take as a lifeline, concern etched in his eyes. “Breathe, baby.”

I gasp in a painful breath and shake my head as I move just out of his reach. My eyes well with tears, my vision becoming blurry.

“Are those happy tears?” he asks hopefully. “Tears that mean yes?”

I shake my head again as I back up another step on shaky legs, my eyes growing wide with horror. The palm of my hand moves to my heart as I massage my breast bone. There’s a painful burn in my chest; it hurts so bad I want to faint.

I can tell when the dawning of realization hits Travis and he knows now I remember everything. I can see the conflict in his eyes as a million emotions cross his features, none like I’ve ever seen him express before. His stone facade has completely crumbled, leaving behind a very vulnerable Travis on display.

He makes one last-ditch effort to touch me, and I flinch away. I don’t want him to touch me, but he leaves his hand outstretched anyway, in hopes I’ll change my mind. Even though he’s not touching me, his hand is creating more physical pain for me, if that’s even possible. My gut twists in a wicked knot, and I can feel my lungs burning due to lack of oxygen.

“Jules, take a breath!” Travis’ sharp tone startles me, forcing me to gasp for air.