Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 89012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
He nods like I’ve lost my mind. I shrug because maybe I have. I don’t even care. He’s here. That’s all that matters.
“So …” He clears his throat and stands. “I have something else.”
“What?” Please don’t ruin this. Don’t break my heart.
Maddox gives me his shy smile, my favorite, and drops to one knee.
My heart bursts and my hand covers my mouth as I watch him pull a box out of his pocket.
“I asked your mother before I came here if I could do this, and she said to tell you one thing,” he says. “She said to remind you that on rainy days, you only need an umbrella.”
I grin although he can’t see it because of my hand.
“Ashley,” he says, grinning. “You make me believe in magic. Not wizard magic, but magic in the universe. Wonder. Possibility.”
Tears fill my eyes. How does he do this? How is he so perfect?
“I’ve been yours since I cut the gum out of your hair. Will you be mine forever?” He opens a small box. “Please be my legal wife?”
I laugh through the tears. “Are you just wanting another honeymoon?”
“Every day will be a honeymoon with you, Birdie.”
I smack him, only to be hauled into his chest.
He presses kiss after kiss against my lips, cheeks, neck, and forehead. Through each kiss, he promises me all kinds of things—some sweet, some absolutely filthy.
I want all of them. I want all of him.
He pulls away, grinning like he’s won a jackpot, and slides a ring on my finger—in front of the one already there. “I don’t know what we do about that.”
“Good problems to have.”
I take in the piece of jewelry. It’s so unique, yet so familiar.
“This is not the ring I wanted to propose to you with,” he says. “But Paige instructed me to use it because I had it, and I shouldn’t wait. She said you’d understand.”
“It’s not about the ring, Mad …” I inspect the one he just gave me. It appears to be handmade with a stone on top that doesn’t quite look like a stone. It’s white and gold and brown, flecked, I think, with a glaze or resin on top. “What is this? It’s beautiful.”
He grins. “I got that in the Bahamas, actually. Well, I got it today, but I ordered it when we were there. Do you remember the shop where we got Becca’s gifts?”
I laugh. “Yes.”
“Well, they had rings made by a local artisan. She took sand from the beaches and crafted rings. So when we were with the pigs, I grabbed some sand and had James get one made for you.”
I drop my hand. “You’re kidding me? Are you serious, Maddox?”
He smiles. “I thought it would be a fun souvenir for you, something to remember your pig day. But it was in the mail when I got home today. I was talking to Paige about how to propose to you, and she said I should use it. We can pick out a ring for you together.”
I wrap my arms around his neck and bury my face in his shoulder. I don’t know how I got so lucky to be his, but I am, and I’ll never take it for granted as long as I live.
I kiss him slow and tenderly before pulling back.
“This is my engagement ring,” I say. “Period. I don’t want another one because you couldn’t find anything more perfect than this.”
He dips his head and smiles. “I don’t know how long it will hold up, though. There’s no warranty or anything.”
“Then we’ll have to go back to the Bahamas. Shucks.”
“I hope it dissolves monthly.” He smiles. “So that’s a yes, right?”
I laugh, tracing his jawline with my finger. “That’s the biggest yes in the history of yeses.”
He visibly relaxes. “One more thing?”
“Are you about to ruin this?” I make a face. “If so, no more one thing.”
He laughs. “I found a house for you today.”
He did? “Really?”
My heart skips a beat as I stare into his eyes. What does that mean?
“It has a lot of perks,” he says, swaying me back and forth. “Immediate occupancy. The owner is willing to any concessions you want. There’s a neighbor who thinks he can just walk in, though, so you’ll have to figure that out …”
I light up. “What are you saying, Mad?”
“Move in with me. I don’t want to spend another night without you.”
“I might have some requests.”
“Name them.”
“The first one is I really like it when you—ah!” I giggle as Maddox lifts me in a bridal hold and carries me to the door. “What are you doing?”
He stops and stares at me. His smile is as big as his heart.
“I’m taking you home.”
I’ve never heard four more beautiful words in my life.
Maddox Carmichael is my fling-to-forever. Who knew?
THIRTY-FOUR
Maddox
This is the way it should always be.