Page 64 of Betting on Lizzie

“If you tell anyone I cried,” Lizzie said to Kate, swiping hastily at her eyes, “I’ll deny it till the day I die.”

Kate made an x over her chest. “On my honor as your real estate agent. I gotta say, you caved faster than I thought you would.”

“Let me tell you a little something about love, Kate,” Lizzie said, slinging her arm around Kate’s shoulders.

“This oughta be good,” Kate mumbled.

“She’s a fickle minx, love is. But when she gets ya, she gets ya good.”

Kate laughed. “You’re a nut.”

Maya approached tentatively. “Lizzie, I’m so sorry I made Dad go out with that woman. It was all my fault. You should know, he didn’t want to go.”

Lizzie had already decided that the other woman was a non-issue and had moved past it.

“I don’t blame you at all,” Lizzie said, which caused Maya’s shoulders to ease noticeably. “As far as I’m concerned, you’re the one who set us up and got us together.”

“Dad did say something about mentioning me at the wedding,” Maya said, grinning. Ben rolled his eyes but laughed.

“Wedding?” Lizzie started to sweat just uttering the word.

Ben caught on that she was on the verge of freaking out. “Lizzie,” he said. “Your sisters talked me out of proposing—said it’d be too much, too soon—and maybe they’re right. But just know, that’s where I’m headed. That’s how sure I am about this.”

Lizzie inhaled deeply to calm her fluttering heart. It took her a second to realize that the fluttering wasn’t panic or her fight-or-flight response kicking in. It was excitement! Maybe a few nerves about committing, but overall, it was sheer joy at the possibility of living happily ever after with this handsome man in front of her.

“Putting emotions into words isn’t really in my wheelhouse, but I can say this. Ben, I love you.”

There. She’d said it. And the world was still spinning. The smile on Ben’s face warmed her insides. Love was real. And she had fallen in deep.

“I love you too, Lizzie.” He wrapped her in his arms, and she felt like she could stay there forever.

“Sooo,” Kate interrupted. “I don’t want to pressure anyone, but what are we doing about the house?”

Lizzie and Ben shared a look. She loved him. And as sure as she was about that, she wasn’t ready to give up her independence entirely.

“How ’bout if I buy the house, and you and Maya move in with me?” she suggested.

“But I wanted to do something big for you. You know? A grand gesture of affection. Show you how much I care and how serious I am.”

“I don’t need all that,” Lizzie said. “Although, you’re welcome to help me move. That’s big and would be super helpful.”

Ben chuckled and slipped his arm around her. “Whatever you want, baby.”

“I told you she’d make this difficult,” Kate said. “Lizzie’s not like other women.”

“And that’s one reason I think she’s so great,” Ben said, talking to Kate but looking at Lizzie. “I know she’ll tell me exactly what she wants and when she wants it. And I’ll do my damnedest to give it to her.”

“I’ll take that ring too,” Lizzie said with a smile. “Do you mind if I wear it on my left hand?”

“Of course not. You sure you don’t want a diamond one?” He waggled his eyebrows.

“I just need something to keep the men away. A rock on this finger will work better than carrying a big stick.”

Once again, Ben laughed. She hugged him and whispered into his ear. “Ring or no ring, I’m yours.”

They walked around the home and the property and declared it perfect.

“I’ll make the offer today,” Kate said.

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