“You said all the good jobs aren’t even in Vegas. Pick a city you want to work in. I’ve been to most of the major ones. We’ll figure it out. I got money. I got time.”
“I-I-I don’t know what to say to that. That’s not how I live. That’s not how most people live—how normal people live.”
“But it’s how you can live if you just pick me. Choose me. Choose us.”
Her shoulders slumped. “This kinda thing doesn’t happen. People don’t just up and marry total strangers. It’s not, I don’t…”
“Does it make sense? Do we make sense?” I took a step toward her but didn’t reach out for her yet. She was still a flight risk. “Despite the time, despite the distance, despite any other roadblock you think up to throw in front of us, don’t you feel the same way about me?”
She sighed and looked away. After a few beats, she turned back to me. “But why does it have to be marriage? Why don’t we just move in together or whatever?”
“Because you won’t believe it. You’re used to people letting you down—your ex, your mom, even your best friend when it came to you chasing your dream. But I’m not going to do that. I want to prove to you that I’m all in. I want to be your rock. I want to be your fucking everything. All you gotta do is say yes.”
She bit her bottom lip, and I could see in her eyes she wanted to say yes. She wanted what I was promising her.
Finally she shook her head. “There’s no way we can get married here. I mean, there’s probably paperwork required that I don’t have. I only brought my passport and driver’s license.”
I took a step closer to her and grinned wolfishly down at her. “You let me worry about the red tape. All you gotta do is say yes.”
She stared at me for so long sweat ran down my back as the moment went on and on. I wanted her to say yes. I needed her to say yes. I felt like I finally found my purpose after the Long Licks—to be her husband and build a family and a fashion empire or whatever the hell she wanted.
“Yes. I’ll marry you, Mal.”
“Fucking yes!” I wrapped an arm around her and punched the other at the sky. “SHE SAID YES!” I shouted just before I kissed her with everything I had. As my lips moved over hers, I was vaguely aware of cheering in the distance. But all I could focus on was the amazing woman in my arms who’d just made me the happiest man on earth.
I could see she still wasn’t a hundred percent sure, but I vowed to make it my life’s mission that she’d never regret this decision. I’d do everything in my power to be worthy of this amazing woman.
Our hips bumped against each other as we walked down the path toward the treehouses with my arm still wrapped aroundher shoulder. I still considered her a flight risk so I wasn’t letting her go just yet.
“Your place is better than mine, but we could go to my treehouse if you want?” I offered.
She shook her head. “If you don’t mind, I’d rather sleep in mine. It’s more familiar and won’t freak me out in the morning.”
“Sure, baby. Whatever you want.”
Her smile looked tremulous and almost brittle, like she was hanging on by a thread.
Yeah, I had a lot of work to do.
When we got to the room, Saylor disappeared into the bathroom with a muttered excuse. No doubt to have a panic attack.
Even though she’d said yes, I still felt like I was screwing this up.
What I would’ve given for a landline so I could call for room service. Get some bubbly for her, create some ambiance in here.
Fuck it. I could do that. What did I have to work with…
When Saylor finally came out of the bathroom, the lighting was turned down, some low instrumental music was playing from my cell phone, I held two wineglasses —one white wine, one water—and flower petals were scattered from where she stood to the bed and all over the sheets. I might’ve decimated a few bouquets in the room she hopefully wasn’t attached to in order to get the effect.
Judging by the way she gasped, her hands coming up to cover her lips, I’d done a good job. “Mal. This is…wow.”
“I worked with what I had.” I shrugged.
She crossed the room to me. I held out a glass for her, but she ignored it and went beeline straight into my chest, wrapping her arms around me and burrowing into my shirt. “Thank you.”
I awkwardly hugged her back, despite the wineglasses in my hands. “Of course, baby girl. I don’t have a ring for you yet, but Iwanted you to see how serious I am. I meant what I said. I want to go all in with you.”
“Thank you, Mal.” She tipped her head back and blinked up at me. “You might’ve guessed I was freaking out in there. I want to believe you—I do. I guess I’m just afraid to trust it. I’ve been let down so many times.”
