Instead of answering, Jared took my hand. “Come with me.”
Curious as to why he was being so mysterious, I let him lead me around the loch and to the back of the building. There was a small window on this side and an entrance door. Jared smiled before he led me inside.
My breath caught as I looked up at the light spilling through the huge skylight above. There was nothing in the rectangular open room, but a door that was slightly ajar. I could see the glimpse of a small restroom behind it. Otherwise, it was just one big room with so much light and that view out over the loch. It felt like we were floating. One of the walls was actually a sliding door that led onto a side deck.
Then I realized it wasn’t an empty room.
An easel and stool were set up near the glass wall.
Oh my God.
Jared squeezed my hand. “I had the guys build you a studio. You said it was the perfect place for one, right?”
Disbelief and gratitude and love—immense love—filled me as I gazed up at my husband in wonder. “You remembered that?”
“Couldn’t get it out of my head as soon as you said it. Knew this was meant to be for you.” He grinned at the marvel on my face and tugged my hand. “Come on.” Staring around at the beautiful space, already imagining it filled with all the materials I needed to make my art, I followed him out through the sliding door to stand on the deck. Sunlight spilled over the green loch, and birds sang in the trees.
It was perfect.
A slice of utter heaven.
Yesterday, my visa was granted. I was now officially a resident of the United Kingdom. I thought that my week couldn’t possibly get any better.
And despite all the shit that had happened in the last few months, I honestly couldn’t believe how perfect my life felt right now.
I said as much.
“Good.” Jared shrugged. “You deserve perfect.”
“I do?” I grinned.
He didn’t smile, though. In fact, he took a shuddering breath before speaking again. “That’s why I want a do-over.”
Confused, my brows drew together. “A do-over? For what?”
Jared pulled something out of his pocket and lowered to one knee.
My breath whooshed right out of me. “Oh my God.”
He snapped open a blue velvet ring box and revealed the most perfect engagement ring. The band was gold but matte instead of shiny, and it looked handcrafted. In the center ofthe band was a cluster of pearls in differing sizes and small diamonds encrusted in the gold beads that separated them.
“Jared …” I gaped at the ring.
“Every time I think about that wedding ceremony, I can’t stand it,” Jared admitted. “I can’t stand that’s the way you and I got married. Because we deserve so much more than that.”
I nodded, understanding.
“This time I want to marry you and have you know that you are marrying a man who will love you for the rest of his life.”
Tears slipped free as I kept nodding in agreement.
“Allegra Emma Howard McCulloch, will you marry me again?”
“Yes,” I sobbed happily. “Yes, of course, yes!” I lowered myself so I could kiss the living daylights out of him. “Why are you so perfect?” I laughed through my tears and his kisses. “You’re making it really hard to live up to.”
Jared chuckled against my lips. “You’ve got it twisted, baby. I’m just trying to live up to you.”
“And he says more perfect things.” I pushed him playfully, my gaze dropping to the ring. “It’s so beautiful, Jared.”
