Yes, I was ready. There was no hesitation now. In truth, I would’ve been ready six months ago when I’d told him I was in love with him, but I’d needed time. I’d needed to trust myself and to trust that trust, as meta and overdone as that sounded. I’d needed to know that my love for him wasn’t going to fail him.
I would fail him. I would hurt him. We’d already had a few arguments, like all couples were wont to have, and I’d hated it, but working through those things had shown me that yes—I’d already known Bruce would stick with me no matter what, but it’d shown me that yes—I’d stick with him, too.
So I took a deep, steadying breath, and told the most wonderful man I’d ever known the truth. “Yes. I’m ready.”
He squeezed my hands and pinned me with those dark eyes now glittering in the moonlight.
“This is where it started. This space between our houses is where our worlds collided. It’s where we had our first kiss and so many conversations that made me fall for you. It’s where we learned each other and figured out we were meant for each other.”
Throat tight, I swallowed and nodded. I couldn’t disagree with any of that.
“I know we’ll have a lot to learn, and life will likely hand us more than we think we can handle. But together, we can face those things. We’ll solve the problems as they come, work out the proofs together.”
A watery laugh came out, loving his word choice. “I think we can, too.”
The smile around his eyes sobered, and he had that earnest, intense look that made my stomach drop.
“Veronica Hastings, I love you with everything that I am. Will you marry me?”
The stars seemed to glitter even more brightly, the moon glowing like a showoff and lighting up the mountains in an almost heavenly-looking white, but the most beautiful thing was this man in front of me. I tugged on his hands so he stood and shifted so my hands were around his neck.
“I love you, too, and yes, Bruce Camden, I will.”
A kiss sealed the moment, so perfect I could hardly breathe through the excitement and amazement that this sweet, wonderful, brilliant, gorgeous man wasmine.
He pulled back and one of his hands dropped away and he reached for his pocket, instantly producing a small black velvet box. I let out a chuckle-huff sound of disbelief at the sight.
“You thought I’d propose without a ring? Come on now, Nik.” He gave me a dashing little frown and flipped open the box.
The moonlight glinted off a stone—not huge, but not small either.
“It’s platinum and conflict-free. I thought about getting something fancier, or just gigantic so everyone would know you’re my wife, but I restrained myself.”
I giggled, his excitement tangible as he took the ring and slipped it onto my shaking finger. “I love it.”
He huffed out a relieved breath. “I love you.”
* * *
