“Oh my God,” I breathe.
He stops right in front of me. “Hey, babe.”
“Hey,” I whisper back.
He takes both my hands and brings one to his mouth, kissing my knuckles, just like he always does.
“I gotta tell you something,” he says quietly.
My brows pull together. “Okay…”
His eyes shine, tears brimming. He blinks fast, sucking in a sharp breath. Clears his throat. Swallows hard.
Then he looks directly at me. “I love you,” he says. “And I think…” His voice wavers. “I think you’re the first person I ever loved who actually loved me back.”
My heart cracks wide open.
He closes his eyes, brushing at the corner to catch a tear before it falls. When he opens them again, they’re red. Wet. Raw.
“Jordan, I’ve loved you since before I even understood what that word meant. You taught me what it was.”
I don’t even try to stop the tears. They come fast and hot, spilling down my cheeks.
“You’ve always been my endgame. Since first fucking grade. It’s always been you.” He lets out a breath that sounds half laugh, half sob. “It’s never not been you.”
Then he reaches into his pocket and drops to one knee.
A cry bursts out of me, and my hand flies to my mouth.
“It’s you and me, babe. It always has been.”
He pops opens a velvet box, revealing the most beautiful ring, delicate and timeless. Similar to the one I have on my finger now.
My heart beats wildly in my chest, but in the best way. Like the moment before you win something, when you realize you still might have a chance.
The corner of his mouth lifts. “Marry me. Again. For real this time. Be my wife. Be my family. Let me build a life with you. Let me give you babies. Let me make you happy.”
He swallows, eyes wrecked.
“Because all of this”—he gestures around us, at the penthouse, the city, the life—“doesn’t mean a damn thing without you beside me.”
I don’t wait for him to stand. I drop to my knees.
“Yes,” I cry.
My hands cup his face and I crush my mouth to his, pouring every ounce of what I feel into the kiss. He grips my waist tight, kissing me back just as hard.
“I love you, Matt.” I smile through tears. “I’ve always loved you back.”
He kisses me again, slower this time.
He takes the ring from the box and I hold out my trembling hand.
“Wait,” I whisper, sliding the old ring off.
I hold my hand out again. “Okay,” I say softly. “I’m ready.”
He slips the ring onto my finger, laces his fingers with mine, and tugs me closer.
