“You don’t know him.”
“No, but I love you.”
She bit her lip. “It’s a good thing I love you too. Otherwise, I would be mad that you didn’t ask if you could threaten that guy for me.”
“I thought it would be more romantic if I just did it,” he explained matter-of-factly, taking her hand in his. It was warm, just like the rest of Rachel’s body.
“It might have been,” she whispered. “And Connor…I’m so sorry. I preach that everyone has the right to take as much time as they need, but I didn’t give it to you. I pushed you, and…I’m sorry! I was just so insecure and so afraid of getting hurt. Not knowing. Losing you sooner or later. But I ambushed you and didn’t give you time, and…”
“It’s okay,” he whispered, stroking her cheek with his free hand.
“No, it wasn’t. It wasn’t fair and…”
“Okay, you’re right. But I love imperfect Rachel too, you know? So I forgive you. Because you made the effort to see my point.”
She sniffed. “I was afraid it might be too late.”
“No. It was exactly right. It gave me time to think…and I want children as long as they have your eyes.”
She snorted, but a smile broke out on her face. “I can’t control that.”
“You’re smart, you’ll think of something!” he replied lightly. “About marriage.” He took a deep breath, but didn’t take his eyes off her. “Honestly, I need time to think about it. I’ve known all my life that I don’t want to get married. Rachel, it was never evenup for debate. Until you came along. So I’ll think about it. I don’t know if I can overcome my aversion to it, but I’d try for you, and…”
She kissed him. He didn’t need to say another word. She pressed her lips to his until no sound came out. “We don’t have to get married,” she whispered. “I don’t need any more proof that you love me. Really. I just need the promise. Not the ring. I know how you feel about marriage. And why you feel that way. And I love you the way you are.”
Connor frowned. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.” She nodded. “I just wanted to know that you were serious, and that you wouldn’t back out. But…I trust you. If you change your mind in a few years, fine. If not…that’s okay. This here – us, the way we are – is a fair compromise, don’t you think?”
He refrained from answering and just kissed her, again and again until he murmured against her lips, “I can’t believe you wore one of your summer dresses for this stranger!”
“Youare the stranger.”
“Yeah, but you didn’t know that.”
“You’re being silly. I’ve been wearing this dress all day.”
“Because you were hoping to meet me and knew that they drive me crazy?”
She smiled, her heart growing with every word and every touch. “Something like that. And I bet that’s why you wore that stupid white shirt! I bet you knew I couldn’t say no when you look like that, and…”
“No,” he muttered, shaking his head. “No more bets. I’ve had enough of those. Only promises.”
She smiled. “I can do that.”
“Good,” he whispered, gazing into her eyes. “You know, I’m sorry I didn’t directly say the right things. I was terrified of notbeing able to make you happy, but even more terrified of not even trying.”
“That’s okay, Connor,” she whispered. Smiling shakily, she put her arms around his neck and pulled him close. “It’s not your job to make me happy. It’smine. And I’m happier with you.”
“How…fortunate?”
“No, I think it’ll be hard work,” she admitted with a grin. “But that’s okay. At least it’ll never be boring. As it turns out…I prefer my life a little chaotic.”
He smiled, brushing his lips against hers. “Then I’m the right man for you.”
Epilogue
Betting debts are debts of honor!
