“Well, it helps to know the right people,” she said, winking. “And you know people are going to say that when the news comes out. But my agent wouldn’t have taken it on if he didn’t think he could sell it, regardless of who you are.”
It didn’t go to as big of a publishing house as Emma’s work, but he hadn’t expected that. He’d thought he’d be self-publishing it.
“I know it had a lot to do with who I am, but I don’t care. I’m taking advantage of the opportunity and running with it.”
“As long as you’re only running with a book in your hand and not a football,” she said.
“Those days are long gone,” he said. “You know that.”
Doctors hadn’t cleared him to return to the field after six weeks, and the Patriots lost five games, knocking them out of the playoffs while other teams got on a hot streak.
After the Super Bowl, he announced his retirement and emotionally spoke of his love for the game, but his health was more important.
He’d never felt so free in his life to have that burden of being Superman to everyone off his back.
“Now I’ve got a writing buddy,” she said. “You get it now, don’t you? The way I do things.”
He’d all but moved into her house with her, the two of them writing in different parts or coming together in the same room and not talking, the sounds of keys clicking the only noise.
They’d go to his house and do the same.
He wasn’t as obsessed as her because he couldn’t sit still that long, but he was making it work for him.
“I get it,” he said.
“And now you can get the girl too,” she said, giggling. “Like a genuine hero. Flip that over.”
He frowned. “I don’t want to be a hero, Emma. I want to be a man. The hero days are gone.”
She gave him one of her tender looks that he’d been seeing more and more of. “You’ll always be a hero to me, but in this case, now you’re justmyman! Flip that over.”
He laughed and pulled the bookmark out of the box and saw the question on the back. “Seriously?”
“You’re the one who said you like that I keep you on your toes. What’s your answer?”
“Yes, I’ll move in with you,” he said. But maybe it was time to flip the script on her. “Only if you’ll be my wife.”
Her jaw dropped. “What?”
“Come on, Emma. Let’s make it official. I’ll even let you post a video on it.”
“I plan on posting a video of our proposal when you do it,” she said. She put her left hand out and wiggled her fingers. “All romances have a happy ending. Usually an engagement with a big fat ring.”
He laughed. “Then hang on,” he said. “I need to blend these worlds of ours.”
He loved he left her standing there speechless as he jogged up the steps to her room. It was going to betheirroom.
When he returned, he saw she was still standing there looking a little shocked. “Do you really have a diamond ring?”
“I wouldn’t lie about that,” he said, getting down on one knee. “Do you want to get your phone ready?”
“No,” she said, shaking her head and moving close to him. “This is between us.” She started to cry. “I feel like one of the heroines in my books though.”
“Good,” he said. “I like it when you feel more.” He flipped the lid on the three-carat diamond with several smaller ones on the band. “The perfect man doesn’t need to be materialistic with the woman he loves.”
“Yes, he does,” she said, laughing.
He smirked. “I figured you’d think that too, which is why I had this made.” He took her left hand. “Emma French, I’m not going to give you fancy words. I’m just going to give you my heart. My promise to love you until I can’t take another breath.To be the best husband and father to our children I can be. Will you marry me?”
