The Bet (Winslow Brothers 1)

Her green eyes move to mine, and I swear it looks as if a few tears sit behind her lids.

I reach out with my hand, hoping she’ll at least let me lead her a little farther, and my heart starts pounding wildly inside my chest when she actually does, placing her small hand in mine again.

If I could just hold this woman’s hand for the rest of my life, I’d be happy.

I stop right at the end of the path of flowers and grasp both of her hands in mine. She looks up at me with eyes that clearly don’t know what to expect, and I know now is the time for me to man the fuck up.

And on a deep breath, I do.

“Do you remember on the plane to Vegas when you asked me if I had any regrets, and I said I had none?”

She nods.

“Well, I do, Sophie.” I begin to tell her everything I desperately need her to hear. “I have one giant regret, and it was the night you had to kick me out of your apartment because of the horrible things I said. The way I acted like I didn’t have feelings for you—and especially because I made you cry.” I admit the painful events out loud. “Seeing you cry and knowing I was the one responsible? That crushed me. Still crushes me. I never should’ve left that night. I should’ve stayed. I should’ve faced what I was feeling for you, and I should’ve told you the truth.”

One small tear slips down her cheeks, and there’s a part of me that wants to stop, fearful that I’m somehow hurting her all over again, but there’s another part of me that needs her to hear the rest. Needs her to understand the truth.

I gently squeeze her hands and continue.

“You scared the hell out of me, babe. But it’s because you’re everything I want and need, and I’ve never felt like I needed anyone. But fuck, I need you. You make me a better man. You make me want all of the things I’ve always told myself I didn’t want. And you’ve stolen my heart,” I say while my eyes plead for her to really listen to these next words. “I’m in love with you, Sophie. I love you. With everything inside of me. And I know it took me far too fucking long to realize that, but see, I’ve never been in love before. So, I guess I’m hoping you’ll understand that it’s a bit of a learning curve for a man like me.”

Her lips part, and her eyes frantically search mine. “You love me?”

“More than anything.” I nod. “I just want you. Only you. Twenty-four-fucking-seven with Sophie Sage. That’s all I want and need.”

All of a sudden, the sensation of something I purchased two days ago sits heavy in my back pocket. This something wasn’t in the plans for tonight, but when I saw it, I knew it had to be hers. And I had to be the one to give it to her.

Honestly, I don’t know why I brought it with me, but I think something deep inside my heart told me this moment wouldn’t be complete without it.

And before I know it, I’m getting down on one knee in front of her, pulling that something, which is a Tiffany blue box, out of my pocket.

“Babe, I need you to understand that I’m not the same Jude you first met at Club Craze,” I tell her, and her eyes grow wide with disbelief. “I’m the Jude after Sophie. The one who loves you with everything inside himself. The one who sees and wants and needs forever with you. You might be the first woman I’ve ever loved, but I know with absolute certainty, you’re the only woman I’ll ever love.”

I pop open the ring box to reveal a round diamond solitaire on a rose gold band. It’s beautiful and elegant and belongs on her finger.

“Sophie Sage, will you marry me?”

She takes the longest blink I’ve ever seen, and her eyes bounce between my face and the ring in my hand more times than I can track.

But eventually, she answers. And I’ll be damned if it doesn’t stab a knife right into my nuts.

“No.”

Sophie

“No?” Jude repeats, and it’s then I realize that everything that’s running through my mind hasn’t come past my lips.

Besides that one word—no.

Oh my God, Sophie!

His face is shocked, and his blue eyes look so sad that it feels as if my heart is trying to pound its way out of my chest so it can be the one to tell Jude how I really feel.

“So, no?” he repeats again, shakes his head, and starts to move to get off his knee. “You don’t want—”

“Wait! That didn’t come out right!” I blurt and dive toward him so aggressively that I knock him backward onto the roof deck and my body lands on top of his.