Ignoring the pang in her heart, Ivy nodded. “But we’ll be running in different circles. The chances of seeing him are slim to none.”
“You might want to recalculate those odds.”
The sound of Nash’s voice made Ivy spin around. He stood in the doorway to the kitchen. Her heart crashed against her rib cage.
Her three brothers moved in front of her, reminding her of the bulls in Carter’s herd. Charlie took up the rear, the perfect backup.
She peered around David. “What are you doing here?”
“I forgot something, so I had to come back.” He came closer. “It’s you, Ivy.”
“I can’t—”
“What I asked of you was wrong. So very wrong. But I’m here now saying ‘I’m sorry’ again. I’ll keep saying it as many times as it takes. And there’s one thing I didn’t say the last time I saw you that I should have said. I love you.”
Her jaw dropped. “You…”
“I love you, Ivy Quinn.”
Her brothers parted like the Red Sea, allowing Nash to stand in front of her.
“I listened to R.J., which kept me from hearing you and my heart. If I had done that, I would have never agreed to having Peyton be my ‘fake’ girlfriend or her singing your song.” He cupped Ivy’s face. “I don’t want to keep crushing your dreams. I want to help you make them come true.”
A part of her wanted to swoon. The other part told her to stay strong. She raised her chin. “I’m moving to Nashville.”
His grin crinkled the corners of his eyes. “I heard. Good call, because that’s where you need to be for your music. I also hope it’s where you want to be because of me. I’m miserable without you. I missed you so much.”
Ivy wanted to tell him she missed him, too. But somehow she couldn’t.
“Having you there will make recording easier,” he added.
“Recording?”
“We’re doing ‘Broken Dreams’ together.”
Her lips parted. “But Peyton…”
“I spoke with her. We’ll do another duet. One she and I want you to write for us.”
Ivy tried to make sense of what he was saying. Tried and failed. “I don’t understand.”
“Losing you made me realize what’s most important to me. That’s you.”
Someone sighed. The sound came from where Bethany stood.
“You also made me take a closer look at R.J. and his role as my manager. Turns out he’s been lying and not representing my best interests, so I fired him. I also spoke to a therapist who nailed my abandonment issues within the first five minutes of talking to me. I’ll work with her so I can be a man worthy of you. If you can find it in your heart to forgive me. Again. Because you were right. This time was worse than the last. I am sorry, Ivy. You’ll never know how sorry I am because you deserve only the best.”
The sincerity in his voice squeezed her heart. A heart that wanted only him. “I forgive you.”
“Thank you.” Nash’s arms wrapped around her, pulling her close to him. He kissed her. If he hadn’t already saidI love you, she might have figured it out from the way his lips moved over hers. full of emotion and longing.
Someone behind them cleared his throat.
Nash pulled back. The affection in his eyes made her lean into him for support. “I have one more question for you.” He reached into his back pocket and pulled something shiny out before dropping onto one knee. “Ivy Quinn, the only thing that matters is you. I want to grow old with you, singing songs and kissing you. Will you marry me?”
Her family faded into the background. It was just her and Nash. Heart pounding, she forced herself to breathe.
“For so long, I’ve buried my dreams. I stopped believing in happy endings. At least for me. And then you came into my life. You weren’t what I expected, but that’s a good thing, and when we sang together, something shifted inside me. You’re what matters to me, too. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
As her family cheered, Nash slid a diamond engagement ring onto her finger. “I know we haven’t known each other long—”
“I don’t want to wait.” The words tumbled out of her mouth.
“That would be a catchy title for a song.”
Giddy, Ivy stared at the ring shooting colorful prisms of light around the pub. Grams was going to freak out. In a good way.
Nash kissed Ivy. “I don’t want to wait, either. So that means…”
She shimmied her shoulders. “We’re getting married.”
