Say Yes (Hush, Hush 2)

I thought…

Oh, God.

My heart is pounding against my ribs.

I can't think straight, and I'm a bit in shock.

I didn't think he was going to ask me again. I really thought I had lost my chance.

Tears fill my eyes instantly, and I flatten my lips tightly together.

James lowers to one knee and presents a black velvet box to me. Little breaths turn into pants. I meet his gaze and look at him, the man who will become my husband. I'm trembling inside to the point the nerves are making me sick. The other times James had asked me to marry him, there'd been no ring. I suspected he had one with him each time, but when I rejected the notion of marriage, I'd just assumed he didn't take it out. As odd as it sounds, I'm glad he hadn't until now.

He also never got down on one knee until now.

He lifts the top up and I draw in a loud breath and cup my mouth. Nestled inside the cushy pillow is a simple but large diamond engagement ring. It looks nearly flawless as it flashes against the glow of the fire. There's a row of thin diamonds encrusted around the outer edge hugging what has to be at least four carats. I stare at the way it sparkles against the metal. He didn't go for platinum. He didn't go for gold. He went for rose gold, and I know without a shadow of a doubt it's because I wear my mom’s necklace and the one Grammy got me all the time, and they’re both rose gold. James knows how much they mean to me. He also didn't go for a traditional princess cut diamond. He went for the pear-shaped cut, the least common engagement ring.

We most definitely aren't like everyone else.

"Please, sweetheart, put me out of my fucking misery and just say yes already. Say yes to forever with me."

Tears are streaming down my cheeks and my lips feel swollen from the emotion. I can barely focus over the pounding of my sprinting heart to formulate words. The only thing I can do is give him my shaking left hand as my answer.

I think my response shocks him. His wide blue eyes stare at me with hope, and his beautiful lips that worship me like a queen part with disbelief.

"You're… you're," he stammers, and I can't recall a time when James faltered his words.

I nod my head and smile at him. "I was a fool to say no the other times you asked me."

He stares at me with profound awe. He's not even blinking. I giggle at him, then wiggle my fingers.

"I finally say yes, and now you're going to make me work for it?"

James falls to the side and catches himself with his hand. He's sitting back on one foot and staring up at me with his baby blues. His hand is shaking as he runs it through his hair. It's a little longer than usual, but I like it on him. The way he's acting is adorable. I gather my dress and attempt to bend down so I'm eye level with him, but James raises his palm for me to stop and gets back up on one knee.

"I feel like I'm going to have a heart attack. You're really saying yes? Don't play with me, Aubrey. I'm old."

A laugh rumbles in my chest. My lashes fall to a half-moon as true happiness settles in my heart.

"Yes. I'm saying yes, James."

I find it endearing how stunned he is. He blinks rapidly and looks between the jewelry box and me, then attempts to take the ring out.

I'm standing in the cabin where we found love in the most unusual way. And now, four years later, James is on one knee asking me to be his wife.

He plucks the ring from the box and it falters in his hold. A breath hitches in my throat as he fumbles with it. James steadies himself and I fight the grin tickling my lips.

"Goddamn nerves."

This time I let the laugh out. James follows suit and chuckles under his breath. I could tell he was nervous, but I wasn't going to state the obvious.

He takes my left hand in his, and just as he’s about to slide the delicate ring over my finger, I pull my hand away.

"Wait!"

James snaps his gaze up to mine and pales. His skin almost matches the gray hair on his head. I realize my timing is pure stupidity on my part and I need to make this quick. He's probably thinking the worst right now. I know I would be.

"You have to promise to never divorce me. Under no circumstances are you allowed to even utter th