“A little more than that,” she said, laughing.
“This weekend we can go to Boston and get started. It’s on you. I mean it. I’m not fussy about those things.”
“We can do it together,” she said, her fingers threading into his.
“I like that better.”
They wandered through the empty house, no rush to move in that weekend, not when there were still decisions to make about the changes they wanted.
When they returned to the kitchen, she pulled the envelope out of her bag, then the papers and set them down with a blue pen.
“I signed it.”
“What’s that?”
“The prenup.”
“Oh no,” he said. “Don’t you dare rain on my parade. I wanted to rip it up and you wouldn’t let me.”
Because she wanted to read it over. There was no reason not to.
It was actually very generous. Even if it was slightly insulting.
But she was putting her money where her mouth was. Or his money.
Whatever.
What he had meant nothing; it was more about what they made together.
“I feel better signing it. It’s not a big deal.”
“First off,” he said, “I don’t feel better about it. Second, we’re not even engaged.”
The smile tugged at her lips. “About that.”
“Are you finally ready to talk about it?”
“No talking. We’ve done enough. I’m ready to ask you to be my husband.”
“Come on, Natalie,” he said, the pained expression on his face caused her to burst out laughing. “I’m supposed to askyou.”
“You gave me your symbol of commitment. My symbol back is the words. I’m ready. I don’t even care if we go to the courthouse next week and do it.”
“Nowthatis telling,” he said, picking her up and spinning her around. “Yes! Yes! Yes! I want to be your husband.”
She was laughing so hard, there were some tears gathering in her eyes, her side even aching.
“I’m so happy,” she said. “Truly happy.” He set her down and smacked his lips against hers. “I’m a better person around you.”
“You make me the best version of myself,” he said.
He walked over to the table and picked up the pen, the click echoing in the room. “You’re going to sign it?”
It didn’t even bother her. In her mind, it was the last thing to get out of the way.
Erin hadn’t been thrilled when Arik gave his mother hell a month ago. He didn’t like the interference, but she played the peacemaker in the end.
Erin’s words forced them to put it all on the table. Nothing was left. No worries about the past, only the promises of their future.
