Dare You to Hate Me

“Let’s get married,” he says again, this time more casually as the truck moves forward into the road. “And then maybe down the line you can pop out one or two of my kids when things are less crazy.”

“One or two kids?” I squeak.

A shoulder lifts. “Or three.”

“Three!” We’ve never talked about kids, but that hasn’t meant I haven’t thought about it. Before coming back into his life, I never thought I’d ever be a mom. But once we made things official all of a sudden I saw my future—a wedding, a house, and children. I saw it all for the

first time.

All with Aiden right beside me.

“Is that a yes?”

“Is the three children negotiable?” I blurt, causing him to chuckle. “I mean, what’d my vagina ever do to you?”

A twinkle forms in those blue eyes as they give me a brief look. “It’s done plenty for me, and hopefully will do plenty more. We can talk about the number of kids we’ll have later. Right now, I need an answer. Out of your head, Underwood. Yes or no?”

I let out a quick breath.

He wants to marry me.

He wants to have kids with me.

The single word response is the easiest one I’ve ever said. “Yes.” I pick the ring out of its carrier and study it closer before slipping it onto my finger and shaking my head in awe of the piece of jewelry that looks like it’s meant to be there. “But we’re not having three kids. Two.”

He pauses for a moment. “Fine.”

“Fine.”

“Good.”

I smile to myself as I touch the ring. “I know I’ve said it before, but I love you. You gave me back my life, Aiden.”

The truck slows in traffic. “You did that yourself, Ivy. Never forget it.”

Our hands find each other, linking between us on the seat. One of his fingers settles on the ring as if he wants to make sure this is real.

Ivy Ann Griffith.

I laugh to myself.

Maybe I always knew it’d end like this.