Page 64 of Secret Baby for the Bad Boy

“I probably can.” Our teasing back and forth has a smile on my face, until he drops to one knee. My heart stops beating and I stare at him. He has to be joking, there’s no way…

“Lara,” he says in that deep, gravelly voice that drives me wild. “I can't imagine a life without you.”

Wasn’t I just thinking that a little while ago?

“I don’t want to imagine a life without you.” His eyes lock on mine with an intensity that makes my breath catch. “You are my partner, my friend, my love, you are my everything. Every moment with you makes me the happiest man on Earth, and I want to spend the rest of my life making you that happy, too.”

Tears well up in my eyes as I realize this is really happening. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small, velvet box. Opening it, he reveals a stunning ring that sparkles in the light.

I can hardly breathe as I look at the ring. A delicate platinum band reflects the light with a brilliant round-cut diamond in the center that catches and reflects every ray of light with a dazzling sparkle… it’s incredible. More beautiful than I ever imagined. And the thought of it being a symbol of our forever, our love, a commitment to this man…

“Will you marry me?” he asks.

I’m speechless, overwhelmed by the flood of emotions within me, excitement, joy, surprise.... But then, with a smile that feels like it might split my face in two, I nod my head.

“Yes,” I whisper, my voice trembling with joy and nerves. “Yes, I will marry you.”

He slips the ring onto my finger, and as he stands, I throw my arms around him, pulling him into a hug and planting a kiss on his lips.

I never saw this coming, but things make more sense now. I break the kiss. “Carol knew, didn’t she?” I ask.

He nods.

I love how important his family is to him, and now, we’re becoming part of that family, my brother and me. My heart pounds, not just from surprise but with every bit of love I feel for him. I feel the weight of the ring on my finger and everything feels surreal.

The rainbows cast by the diamond scatter around the room, and I’m amazed again. “I had no idea,” I whisper.

“Good. I like that I can keep you on your toes.” He presses a quick kiss to my lips.

We stand like that for a while, his arms holding me, and I rest my head on his chest, listening to the heartbeat that beats in time with mine.

“Forever,” he says into my hair, his voice filled with excitement and disbelief.

“Forever,” I say, and we kiss again, surrounded by the beauty of the great outdoors.

And in this moment, my life becomes whole. I’m with the man I’m meant to be with, even though I still don’t believe in fate.

Epilogue

Lara

Seven years later…

I glance at the photo on my desk, our laughter captured forever in a frame that brings back every bit of that happiness and joy.

And I remember that the billions we have in the bank isn't what fills my chest with warmth. We did it, Lark, Shana, and me. But the real victory… it’s our family. Our love. The beauty and joy that fill every single day.

“Uh-oh, I know that look,” Lark says as he walks past, then backs up a few steps to talk to me.

I smile. “Just thinking about how lucky we are.”

“I always knew we'd make it,” he says, making his way to my side before pulling me up into his arms. As he holds me close, I melt into his arms.

“But the money… it isn't everything.”

“It never was.” His eyes lock onto mine, still an intense green, even if the lines around them are a little deeper. I love the way his hair is going silver at his temples, and the way he’s aged like fine wine. I’d love a taste. Heat roars through my body and the hairs on my arms and neck stand on end like standing outside right before an electrical storm.

It's him. Always him.

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