“That wasn’t very nice.”
He shrugged. “So?”
“Did you just get back?”
“Came straight from the airport here. I was in Seattle.”
“Why would you—”
“My mother died. That day in my office. The text message was from a cousin of mine saying she died. I went to make sure it was true. I watched her funeral from afar and then confronted my father.”
“How did that go?”
“I didn’t hit him or beat him up if that’s what you’re asking.”
I grinned because a piece of me did wonder if he had.
“I would’ve gone with you,” I blurted out.
He moved closer, reaching down to push a few curls behind my ear before running a finger down my cheek. My eyes floated closed at the ripples of sensation that small touch caused in my body.
“I know you would’ve. But I needed to do this alone. I don’t want that part of my life to ever touch you, us, what we have.” His finger traced my bottom lip. “That was a great song.”
“You heard me sing?”
He nodded. “You were perfect up there, as usual. There’s just one problem with it …” He trailed off while he dug his right hand into the pocket of his dark jeans. Pulling out a small black box, he flipped it open. “I don’t want to wait another lifetime. How about this one?”
My eyes fell to the hand he held out, the square cut diamond ring sparkling. I couldn’t take my eyes off the ring as he knelt down in front of me.
“Grace, I’m sorry about the way I ran off the other day. And all the stuff I said just before that. I know you inside and out. You will always find a way to help others, especially those you love. Which is just one of the many reasons I love you more than I ever thought I was capable of. I know I’m not an easy man to love and I still have a lot of shit to work through from my past, but I’ll do it and more, just to be a better man for you. The man you deserve. Will you marry m—”
“Yes!” I exclaimed, throwing my arms around his neck and almost knocking him over.
His deep chuckle caused another ripple effect in my body.
“I love you,” I gushed and took his face into mine, kissing him.
Jacob, never one to relinquish control so easily, took over the kiss, burying his free hand in my hair, holding my head in place.
He soon pulled back, releasing me and removing the ring from the box to place it on my left ring finger.
“Luke said this one would look good on you.”
I stared up at Jacob. “Luke?”
He nodded and swallowed before answering. “He was at the funeral, too; for the same reason I was. He helped me pick out your ring.”
He must’ve seen the quizzical expression on my face because he leaned down, placed a kiss to my forehead, and said, “It’s a long story, baby. I’ll tell you all about it later. But right now, I’m taking you back to your place so you can sing for me until we pass out from exhaustion.”
I giggled as I watched Jacob gather my belongings, help me into my coat, and grab my hand to follow him out to his car to do exactly what he said.
I ended up singing at the top of my lungs all night long.
Epilogue
3 Months Later
Grace
