I turn back to the room and take it all in. Who knew Micah Reed was such a romantic? Over the last year, he has softened around the edges—only on occasion in the bedroom—and I love seeing this side of him.
“This is…”
I whirl around to tell him how romantic this is, but he is no longer eye level. All the air leaves my lungs as I drop my gaze to meet his. Micah, down on one knee, stares up at me as if I hold all of life’s secrets.
A hand flies to my mouth as my vision glazes over. “What are you doing?” I choke out.
His soft chuckle floats through the air. “Being romantic. Now, shh.” He presses an index finger to his lips for a beat, then reaches for my free hand. My left hand.
“Peyton, it’s no secret our relationship didn’t start in the best light. In all honesty, I was the biggest asshole.” We both laugh. “Through all the banter and harsh words, you still called out to me in a way I couldn’t ignore. So, I kept up with my persistence. Once I realized who you were and what I’d done all those years ago, I thought there’d be no chance for me.” He rubs circles with his thumb over the top of my hand. “But you gave me a chance. You forgave me.”
I blink and the first tear rolls down my cheek. Eyes locked on his, I drop my hand from my mouth and nod.
“Slowly, you went from this woman at work I had the hots for to the woman I don’t want to live without.” I gasp. “Peyton, I don’t picture a single day in my future without you. Nor do I want to.” He reaches into the pocket of his slacks and takes out a small black box. He flips the lid open and turns the box in his hand. Nestled in the velvet is a platinum band bridal set—the engagement ring with a yellow cathedral round diamond and the wedding band with small white diamonds that hug the engagement stone.
“Oh my god,” I whisper in disbelief.
“Peyton Isabel Alexander, I want to spend every day of forever with you. Will you marry me?”
Tears cascade down my cheeks and blur Micah and the room. But my eyes don’t leave his. Not for a second. Not as every ounce of love this man holds spills from his heart through his lips.
Micah just asked me to marry him. Never in my life did I imagine this day, this moment.
“Yes,” I whisper. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
A new smile lights Micah’s expression. A love so bright it blinds me. He plucks the engagement ring from the box, lifts my left hand to his lips, kisses my ring finger, then slides the ring into place. Rising from the floor, he wraps his arms around my waist, lifts me off the floor and kisses the hell out of me.
“Thank you,” he says when the kiss breaks.
I scrunch my brow. “For what?”
“For you. For saying yes. And for wanting forever with me.”
I plant a chaste kiss on his lips. “I love you, Micah Reed.”
“And I love you. Future Mrs. Peyton Reed.”
He kisses me slow and soft as he walks us to the bedroom. And then, Micah shows me every way he loves me. Now and forever.
* * *