"What's that?"
"You."
She leaned into him, and he wrapped his arm around her. They sat in silence, watching the moon climb higher, the water lapping gently against the pilings below.
"I love you," she said.
"I love you too."
"I'm going to marry you someday."
She felt him smile against her hair. "Is that a proposal?"
"It's a statement of intent."
"Then I accept your statement of intent." He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "Whenever you're ready, I'll be here."
They stayed until the chill drove them home, walking hand in hand through the quiet streets. The cottage was dark when they arrived, the new door gleaming in the moonlight.
Home, Tessa thought. This is home.
Not Chicago with its glass towers and grinding pace. Not the hospital that had consumed her for seven years. Here, in this small town by the water, with this man who had thrown himself at a knife-wielding stalker for her.
It was incredible. Life was incredible.
Chapter 30
Three months later, Brian stood in the jewelry store on Main Street, staring at rings.
"You've been here twenty minutes," Hank said. "Just pick one."
"It's not that simple."
"It's exactly that simple. She loves you. You love her. The ring is a formality."
"The ring is not a formality." Brian pointed at a diamond solitaire. "What about that one?"
"Too plain."
"That one?"
"Too flashy."
"You're not helping."
"I'm helping plenty. You're just not listening." Hank leaned over the display case. "What does Tessa actually like? Not what you think she should like. What does she wear?"
Brian thought about it. Tessa wasn't flashy. She wore simple jewelry, when she wore any at all. Small earrings. A thin chain with a pendant her mother had given her. Nothing ostentatious.
"Something simple," he said. "Elegant. Not too big."
The saleswoman, who had been hovering patiently, stepped forward. "I might have something." She unlocked a case in the corner and pulled out a ring. White gold band, a modest diamond flanked by two smaller stones. Simple. Elegant. Perfect.
"That's it," Brian said.
"You sure?" Hank raised an eyebrow. "You didn't even ask the price."
"Doesn't matter."
