Page 122 of The Ruined

The door closes behind Aiden, and I pose as Noah snaps a quick photo of me before jogging up the steps to sit beside me.

“Hey, Crazy.”

I watch him with a suspicious smile. "What's going on?"

“I tricked you.”

I raise my brow. “I'm picking up on that."

“I wanted a picture of you sitting right here.”

“You already have one of those.”

“Not a recent one.” He sets the camera aside and takes my hands.

"What makes it so special?" I tease.

“This spot right here, this is where some undergrad opened my heart again. I can't explain how—couldn't back then and can't now. It's one of those profound soul connections people claim to feel when they meet the one."

I giggle. "That's what that look was? I just thought you couldn't figure me out and started wondering where the psych department was."

He grins, brushing my hair from my face. “At the moment, I thought I’d finally found someone cool around here. And…she happens to be hot. Plus and minus there.”

Another laugh spills from my lips.

“You became my best friend. Then, for a brief while, my girlfriend. All that time I thought I was keeping my heart from you. Felt guilty for it. Truth is, you’ve had it all along.”

I lean into his touch.

“And baby, I never want it back." He reaches into the small compartment in the leather camera case and pulls out a ring. I gasp at the round, elegant diamond, blinking at its unique light lavender color.

He lowers himself two steps, kneeling in front of me. I grip his forearms.

“I want to spend my life with you. I want to be wrapped up in your web—which turns out isn’t all that little. It’s had a good grip on me since I first sat on this step, looking at my future."

I swipe at a tear. "I'm never going to understand why me."

His grin fades and he strokes my cheek. "Marry me. And I'll happily spend every day reminding you."

My head bobs as tears spill. "Yes." I reach for him and pull him beside me, giving him my hand.

His eyes mist as he laughs, slipping the ring on my finger. "It's official. You're my it will always be you."

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