“He is really busy, just wanted to get a feel for the space he has to work with,” I grumble and grip the steering wheel tighter.
“Still think it’s weird.” Lainey looks down at Ash, scratching behind his fuzzy ears.
She continues looking at him as we park in the driveway and doesn’t notice that the contractorisn’there. I hop out of the truck and round her side, opening her door.
Finally looking up at our property, Lainey stumbles intomy arms in shock. “Oh my God, Remington.” She looks up at me, awe and tears welling in her eyes.
I had cracked the windows before I got out; the night is cool, and I don’t want Ash to run through my surprise, so we leave him in the truck for now.
Taking Lainey’s hand, I walk her to where our house used to stand, where the new one will eventually be built. All over our property, every spot that was touched by the fire is now covered with arrangements of flowers—any and every variety I could get my hands on. There are also hundreds of candles, battery-operated ones thank you very much, dotted throughout the massive bouquet and lining a path to the middle where there is a large space for us to stand.
“I have never seen anything more beautiful in my entire life,” Lainey says as she spins around, taking in the rainbow of colors and false flickering flames as the dusky air hums around us.
“I have,” I state as she turns back to me, finding me staring at her.
“Remington,” she whispers.
“Lainey, you lit up my life from the moment we met. Before you, I was existing, going through the motions of life, but I wasn’t truly living. I wanted that dream you told me about too, but I was afraid to chase it, to open myself up to the possibility of getting hurt.”
She wipes a tear that runs down her cheek. I cup her face, tracing my thumb along her scarred jaw. Shivers ripple through both of us.
“I had no chance resisting you, baby. This pull. This connection. You captured my heart, my very soul before you ever realized it, Lainey. I am wholly, completely yours.”
Dropping to one knee, I pull out a small lavender box and pop it open to reveal the ring I have been waiting too long togive Lainey. The large radiant-cut diamond in the center sparkles in the glowing candlelight surrounding us.
“Make me the most blessed man to walk this planet, Lainey. Marry me? Be mine. Let me be the man to give you flowers and my forever.”
“Yes, Remington. Oh my God, yes!” Lainey sobs as she launches herself into my arms, hugging me, anchoring herself to me.
I kiss her deeply before I pull back, and taking her left hand, I slide the engagement ring down her trembling finger.
“Remington, this is too much,” Lainey tries to protest, as if it will change it.
“You deserve this, baby. I picked it just for you. Nothing is too much for you.” I kiss her cheeks, blush staining them perfectly.
“Lainey LeBlanc has a nice ring to it.” Her eyes shimmer with happiness.
“It sure does.” I kiss the shining promise that I just slid into place on her hand.
Holding it up to the fading light, Lainey looks at the diamonds on the band meeting the center stone and grins at me. “It looks like a flower.”
“I told you, beautiful. I am going to find a way to give you as many flowers as I possibly can.” I kiss her soft lips.
“Forever?” Lainey asks, voice full of love and longing.
“Forever,” I vow.
Epilogue
“Keller! Good to see you, man.” Remington shakes his friend’s hand.
He is just as tall as Remington, thicker though, like an immovable brick wall of muscle and tattoos.So many tattoos.You would think that would make Keller Shore scary, but looking at his face, kindness radiates out of him. He has dark hair, a crooked smile, double dimples that are sure to make women melt, and striking green eyes.
“It’s been too long.” Keller’s rumbling voice booms through his tattoo shop.
Remington motions to me. “This is my fiancé, Lainey.”
“Nice to meet you, Lainey.” Keller takes my hand, shaking it in a firm but gentle grasp.
