Birthright

“I’m glad to hear you say that.”

“Do you think Reid would give me my old apartment, or is it already rented again?”

“I…I don’t know.” He presses his lips together. “Is that where you would want to live?”

“I guess so.”

“Ugh.” Nate shakes his head. “I need to remember to just say what I’m thinking.”

“What are you thinking?”

“I’m sorry to be so blunt,” Nate says, “but I need to hear the words. I don’t want to make any assumptions just because…well, because of this.” He gestures toward the disheveled sheets on the bed. “Are we…back together? I want to be with you, Cherry. That hasn’t changed at all, but I don’t know what’s going through your head, and I’m learning to ask instead of assuming.”

“I think it’s safe to say I want to be with you.”

“Do you really?” he says quietly.

“I do.”

“Oh, those words.” Nate closes his eyes tightly for a moment. “And my past transgressions, which I understand you won’t forget—I won’t either—but you do forgive me for them?”

“Yes, Nate.”

“I’m probably a moron,” he mumbles, “but I can’t help myself.”

Nate leaves the room and comes back a minute later, holding something behind his back. Whatever it is must have been in his jacket pocket since he didn’t have time to go out to the car and get his bag.

“I’ve thought about this a lot,” he says quietly, his gaze not meeting my eyes.

“Thought about what?”

He takes a deep breath and then drops to one knee and brings his hand out from behind his back. In his palm is the black velvet box I remember from the night I left.

“Cherice, I didn’t know it at the time, but the first moment I saw you was the beginning of my future. It’s a future I want to share with you. I want you to be a part of my life and a part of my family for now and forever.”

My heart skips a beat.

“Cherry, will you please marry me?”

Chapter 21—Clues

My mouth hangs open, but I can’t seem to draw a breath. I wasn’t expecting this, and I have no idea how to react. I clasp my hand over my open mouth and stare at the giant diamond Nate is proffering. He looks at me with intent, eager eyes.

“Hopefully I didn’t screw this up again?” His voice rises in question.

I try to answer, but I still can’t breathe.

“Cherry? Are you all right? Shit! I did fuck it up again, didn’t I?”

“No, you didn’t,” I finally manage to whisper. “That was much better.” I bite my lip as tears form in the corners of my eyes.

“You didn’t answer.”

I reach up and wipe away a tear. I know this is exactly what I want. I’d be a part of the family I’d already started to love, and my baby would have a proper mother and father together.

“Yes. Yes, Nate, I will marry you.”