Page 196 of After All This Time

I go over to smell one of the candles sitting on my dresser, bringing it up to my nose and zooming it out, so the label is in clear view.

“Peach Bellini, huh?”

“You know my mom has an obsession with Bath & Body Works.” He chuckles. “The candle smells good, but it doesn't compare to the way you smell. God, you always smell so good.”

I giggle, placing the candle back to where it was.

This room is full of so many incredible memories.

Noah and I had our second-first kiss in here and had sex for the first time. I remember the time when he licked peach juice off my ass and the residual dribble that dripped down my neck.

Note to self: remind Noah about peach foreplay.

We’ve been staying here since my mom forced him to stay with me two years ago because she was terrified to leave me alone. At the time, I hated her for doing that.

Looking back on it, I’m so happy she did because I don’t know if we’d be together right now. I’ve thanked her for her service more times than I count on two hands.

When I whip my head around, I see Noah sinking one knee on the cold, tile floor which brings me back to reality and makes me feel like I’m flying in a dream.

Oh my God, I can’t believe what I’m seeing.

My eyes grow wide. “What the hell are you doing?”

“What does it look like I’m doing?” He pulls out a velvet box from his back pocket, opening it to reveal a ring.

Stumbling backward, I bury my face in my shaking hands. Every part of my body is vibrating. Tears line the rims of my inner eyelids, waiting to pour out.

I manage to smile, sucking my lips in.

“Are you okay?” he asks, his eyes growing wider by the minute.

Does it look like I’m okay?

I shake my head.

“You’re going to have to try and bear with me because this is going to take a little while.”

Nervous laughter comes out of my mouth as I’m violently nodding my head.

Noah grabs my hand and threads his into mine, smiling at me. “Dani, the last two years I’ve spent with you have been the best and craziest years of my life. I’ve dreamt for so long to be with someone who loves the damaged parts of me, but is willing to help me put those parts back together.” He clears his throat. “We’ve known each other since we were born. Our mothers tried so damn hard to get us to be inseparable like they are, but it didn’t work. We spent so many years competing with each other using words. It got so bad you stopped talking to me which broke my heart.”

Fuck, cue the tears.

“But, look at us now. We’re published authors. I mean, we’re writing for a living. It’s insane.” He breathes out as his eyes begin to have a glassy sheen to them. “We’re living the dream together, and I wouldn’t want to live this dream with anyone else but you.”

My lips quiver, dropping my head down and lifting back up, so I can look at his handsome face.

He lets go of my hand, so I have the freedom to freak the hell out if I want to.

“You’re incredibly driven. Look at what you’ve built over the last few years. Tens of thousands of readers and authors who see your talent for words. Your ability to connect with them on a personal level is special. Not many people have that gift. Hell, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to do that. You should be proud of yourself because I am.” He inhales and exhales. “God, you’re brilliant. You’re never afraid to say what’s on your mind. You’re resilient. You care so deeply about the people you love. And you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

Wetting my lips with my tongue, I blink my eyes in rapid motion as a smile slowly appears on my face.

“You’ve always been in my corner, and I’m never going to let you go. There isn’t a world or alternative universe I could be a part of that doesn’t exist without you in it. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” He raises the ring closer to my face. “Danielle Hope Solomon, will you marry me?”

Frozen like an ice sculpture, I’m standing here and blinking my eyes like I can’t believe what I’m hearing.

This doesn’t feel real.

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