“That’s not good enough. Lucy, I want more.” He points to a stack of papers on the kitchen island. “That’s the paperwork for our divorce.”
“And you wanted me to come sign it?”
“No. I want to burn it.”
My eyebrows practically kiss my hairline they shoot up so fast.
“I don’t want a divorce. I want you,” he says.
“What about your freedom?”
“I don’t want freedom without you.”
The lump in my throat is growing, and I’m scared I’m about to turn on the waterworks.
Miles turns his back to me when the coffeepot beeps at him. He pulls theStud Muffinmug out of the cupboard and fills it with coffee and creamer, and then he does something shocking.
He hands it to me.
He handsmethe mug.
“Lucy, I know we didn’t set out to get married or to mean anything to each other besides being good roommates.” He pauses and glances at Alexander, who keeps nudging his hand. “But you have successfully overtaken every corner of my life, and I don’t want you out of it. I didn’t argue with you leaving because I thought, with time, maybe I would realize that we were better apart. I was wrong.”
He takes a step toward me. “I was so wrong that I had to sit in your spot on the couch. And put my keys on the wrong key ring. I’ve kept trying to make everything feel right since you left. But it’s not. Without you, it’s all wrong. Because you brighten every room you’re in. You bring joy and happiness wherever you go. And I know it’s not fair of me to ask it, but I will anyway. I’m asking you to share that with me for the rest of our lives. I know I’m not what you deserve. You deserve someone way more mature and thoughtful. Someone who would fold your laundry instead of burying you in it. I can’t even make the promise to change. But I do know one thing: I love you, Lucy Bishop.”
My jaw is somewhere on the floor—I’m sure of it, because I don’t know how to close my mouth.
“Uhhhmm.” I clear my throat. “Miles.”
He shifts his weight back and forth as he waits for my answer. “I need you to tell me true. Tell me if you can be happy with me. Because I want to love you and make you the happiest you can be.”
“Miles, you surprised me. You made me want things I shouldn’t have wanted. The way you welcomed me into your home, treated me like a friend, and took care of me, even when I was a wreck. You’ve never made me feel as though you expected something in return. I fell hard for you, but I knew I didn’t have the right to ask you to give up your freedom. I didn’t want you to resent me because I caught feelings during a business deal. But I can tell you this: there is no one else in this world I would be willing to be married to—fake or real. I knew I was falling hard for you the second I walked up those court steps. But I’ve been too scared to say anything.”
Miles stares at me, his expression softening.
I wait for him to say something, and when he doesn’t, I fill the uncomfortable silence. “I was a coward. I loved you, and I knew it, and I still didn’t say anything.”
His eyes are glistening—or maybe it’s just a trick of the light. I’m not sure.
“Are you going to say anything?” I whisper.
Miles nods. “Drink your coffee.”
I freeze. Those were not the three words I’d expected.You’re a coward. I love you. You can leave.Any of those seemed more likely options thandrink your coffee.
I glance down at the mug. The one he willingly handed over to me.
That’s when I see it.
In front ofStud Muffin, he’s writtenMrs.with a white permanent marker.
I glance up at Miles with blurry eyes, but he’s not standing there anymore. He’s down on one knee, beside my giant of a dog.
“Lucy Bishop, will you do me the honor of staying married to me?”
As quickly as I can, I set the mug down on the counter and leap toward him like a flying monkey.
Somehow, he manages to catch me, and I straddle his one leg while I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him.
