Page 103 of Forever and Other Lies

He grunted and tore open the plastic wrap, pulling out a little black velvet box. “I can’t believe you’re going to make me do this.”

Her eyes widened. No, it couldn’t be. It looked like a ring box. No! And then he dropped to one knee in front of her. NO!

“Jayna, you are the most irritating woman I have ever met.”

Her eyes narrowed. Was he going to propose or insult her? “Says the most annoying man on the planet.”

He blinked, brow furrowing. “You know that I’m not good at this. Jayna, just take this stupid ring and marry me.”

He popped the lid on the box, revealing an exquisite princess-cut diamond ring.

“You’re proposing?”

“Yeah. What the hell do you think is happening here?”

She shrugged, her eyes moving from his stupid, far-too-handsome face to the incredibly beautiful ring. “You don’t do serious, complicated, or marriage.”

“That was yesterday. I changed my mind today.”

“Hmm.”

“What does hmm mean?”

“It just means hmm.” She lifted her shoulders, forcing a bored expression on her face.

“Does hmm mean yes?”

“Damn, you’re so pushy.” A defiant smile lifted the corner of her lips.

“You really have to make everything so difficult,” Derek grabbed her hand. “Jayna, are you going to wear this ring or not?”

Her forehead creased into a deep V. It was a lot to take in. The Neanderthal was on bended knee in front of her, holding a sparkling ring. He looked like he was about to vomit.

This was going to be the best she’d get out of him. “Guess so. It’s not like anyone else has asked.”

He pulled her hand closer and slipped the ring on her finger. “You are so wishy-washy.”

“Wishy-washy? Are you an 80-year-old woman? No one but a grandma uses that phrase. Wow, you really know how to make a woman swoon,” she said, her voice laced with sarcasm.

Derek stood up, dusting off his knee as if the whole ordeal had been a minor inconvenience. “Can you stop making fun of my vocabulary?”

She looked up at him, her smile softening. “For a moment there, I thought you might actually say something romantic.”

“Hey, I got down on one knee, didn’t I? That’s pretty romantic.”

She laughed, shaking her head. “I suppose it is.”

He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. “Besides, you like me just the way I am. Admit it.”

“Yeah, yeah,” she muttered, burying her face in his chest. “You’ll do.”

His chest rose and fell beneath her head, his heartbeat so steady and reassuring. His arms tightened around her. She felt safe and protected for the first time since Sonny had crashed into her house. Derek made her feel safe and the realization hit hard and sudden. This man was in love with her, even if he couldn’t say the actual words. He wanted her. He did love her.

“Okay, Mr. Almost-Romantic,” she said, pulling back slightly while still holding on to him. “Can you say the L-word just once?”

“Really? Getting down on one knee, buying a diamond ring—a very expensive diamond ring—and asking you to marry me wasn’t enough?” He lifted her chin and stared into her eyes.

“Nope.”

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