Page 106

He looked serious. “I don’t want you to go back to your apartment.”

“Where would you like me to go?”

“To my place.”

“You want another night after we get home?”

He shook his head, taking my hands. “I want all your nights, Maddy. I want you to move in with me.”

I gaped at him. “What?”

“I don’t want to be apart. I want you in my life. I want to be in yours. Totally immersed. Living together. Shopping together. Sleeping. Paying bills and arguing about who did the dishes last. Sharing your smiles. Hearing about your day. Being able to tell you about mine.”

“I’m not sure I can⁠—”

“Don’t say it. My condo is paid for. We’ll figure out the rest. But I want you with me. You only lived above the bakery for convenience. Sue can rent it out to another baker. My place has easy access to the hospital. A great balcony you love. A pool.” He smiled, although he looked nervous. “Me.”

“Matthew,” I began, but he shook his head.

“Think about it. At least, think about it before you say no.”

I stared at his face. The face I had missed so much. Longed for every day while we were apart. Was terrified I would never see again when he collapsed and was rushed into surgery. The man I knew I would love until the day I died.

I leaned in and kissed him. “What if I don’t want to say no?” I asked.

“I would be thrilled.” He paused. “But what—” He stopped and swallowed.

“What?” I prompted.

“What if I wanted more?”

“More?” I questioned. “What more could you want?”

He slid from the rock onto one knee. From his pocket, he drew a small box and pressed it into my hand. My heart raced, my breathing becoming shallow when I realized what was happening.

“I want forever, Maddy. With you.”

“Matthew,” I breathed out, tears coming to my eyes.

“I know it’s fast, but I was without you for too long, and I don’t want to wait. And nothing in that time changed, except I love you more now. I want to marry you. Build a life as we discover more about each other to love. Make new memories. Have a family. Be us. Forever.” He met my gaze, his own eyes glassy. “Be mine, Maddy. Say you’ll be my wife. You’re already my world.”

Tears spilled over. “How long have you been planning this?”

“Since you agreed to come with me. I’ve been waiting for the right time.”

“Do they know?” I indicated the community behind us.

“Mom and Dad know. If you say yes, tonight will be a huge celebration. If you want to think it over, then it is just a family dinner. And if you need to think it over⁠—”

I put my finger on his mouth. “I don’t. I love you, Matthew VanRyan, and I want that life as much as you do.”

His expression changed. It went from worried to relieved to joyful. His smile was wide. Happy. His eyes crinkled. He pulled me close, cradling my face in his hands.

“Then say yes, and let’s start the celebration.”

“Yes.”

His mouth on mine was all the celebrating I needed.