Lexi’s brows bunched. Will came closer.
“My high school girlfriend dumped me because I couldn’t do a chin-up.”
Lexi felt like she had to say something. “Okay.”
He stopped in front of her. “I still can’t. I still have that stuffed animal thing. I still get nervous when I have to speak in front of others. I hate the country club but really like their Monte Cristo sandwiches so I go when my mother asks because at least I can have that. I failed myfirst math class in college and fell in love with a girl in my second year who only wanted to date me for my money. I give Kyra a hard time for beating me at word games and making me watch cheesy romance movies but the truth is, I love watching them and I suck at word games.”
A nervous laugh bubbled out of her. “What are you doing?”
He was so close their fronts brushed when she took a deep breath. “I’m telling you about all the versions of me. They aren’t perfect. I’m not perfect. I know you’re not either but you’re perfect for me and no matter what happens between us, I need you to know I really do love you. I didn’t get caught up in something and run with it. I saw you on that patio and it was like the sun came out after years of hiding.”
She sucked in a breath and they moved at the same time. He kissed her or she kissed him, she wasn’t sure, but they wrapped themselves around each other like they’d been apart for months. Lexi didn’t know how long they stood there, his lips moving over her face, down her neck, her hands running through his hair, over his solid shoulders and chest, but it felt like not long enough when he pulled back.
“I fucking miss you.” He dropped his forehead to hers.
“I miss you too. So much. I’m sorry. I’m sorry I ran away. Sorry I got scared. I’m terrified of losing you and I promised myself I’d never let myself feel that way.”
“I didn’t realize it was a choice,” he said, his voice husky.
“Turns out, it’s not. The choice is love you and be scared or love you and be alone and miserable.”
“You love me?”
She nodded, her heart getting too big for her chest again, like it was reaching out to connect with its other half.
“You said you didn’t,” he whispered, and the hurt in his gaze undid her.
“I lied.”
He laughed. “Say it.”
“I love you. I love you so much even though I’m scared one dayyou’ll leave me, either because I’m exhausting or because of something you can’t control, and then I’ll never be okay again.”
“If something happens, you won’t be the same. But eventually, you’ll be okay.”
She nodded. “I’m figuring that out. But I’m not okay walking away from this just to protect myself from possibly getting hurt. I love you. I’m sorry I said I didn’t. It’s all been real for me, too. Everything except the engagement and then I was standing there in my mother’s dress, a symbol of her past, and you offered me this future and I just couldn’t wrap my head around it. I couldn’t wrap my head around having it or losing it. So I ran.”
“I don’t know where this will go but I can tell you I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want you. I want a life with you. I want to be your husband. I’ve never wanted that before. To be tied to someone in just that way, with that label. I want to live my life loving you, picking you up when the unexpected knocks you down, leaning on you when life does the same to me. I want to stand by your side whether you’re a waitress, a roulette dealer, or an operations manager.”
She laughed, swiping at her tears. “A roulette dealer?”
“I don’t care. It doesn’t matter what you do. It just matters that I get to be with you when you do it. Tell me you want the same.”
“I do.” She’d already admitted it to herself.
“It’s good you’re practicing those words,” he said with a sexy smirk. He stepped away, put his hand in his pocket, and pulled out the ring she’d given back.
“I’d already fallen for you by the time I slipped this on your finger. We didn’t intend to really get married at that time but I was almost positive I was in love with you then. Now I’m one hundred percent sure. This is what love is. It isn’t perfect but it’s exactly what I want and need. You. You’re everything I want and need exactly as you are, whoever you become along the way. I love you, Alexandria Danby.” He sank to one knee. “Will you be my wife? For real? Will you marryme in a real ceremony in front of our friends and family? Will you be mine forever or as much of forever as we can get?”
She couldn’t stop the tears as she sank down to the floor with him, nodding as he slipped the ring on her finger.
“Yes,” she whispered. “I’ll marry you. I love you, Will. So much.”
“For real?”
She laughed, pushed his shoulder, and threw her arms around him.
“I can get you a different ring.”
