“You don’t need to say anything. Not yet. That’s an engagement ring. For you. I bought it already because I’m a little foolish like that. And I know what I want. Who I want. That’s you, Monroe.”
Jenna pulled in her breath. She wanted to say something to him, to tell him how she felt, to commit the way he was committing to her, but he was right—she wasn’t ready. Yet.
“I’m not opening that box tonight. Not because I don’t want to, but because I know you aren’t ready. I think I’ll know when you are. Or maybe you’ll tell me. I didn’t quite plan out the details. We can both pray about it. If you want to talk about it more, we can. I think we’ll both know when it’s time. Maybe that will be a week. Maybe six months. But the ring is here. My heart is yours. I love you, Jenna Monroe. I think I always have, but now that I have you in my life, I love you more than I thought I could love anyone. I want to marry you. Whenever you are ready.”
Jenna threw herself into his arms, pressing her face into his neck. She felt the scrape of stubble over her cheek and breathed in the scent of him. Jackson loved her. He bought her a ring.
Though she always struggled to trust, always assumed the worst because of what she’d been through, Jenna trusted Jackson at his word. He came with a daughter—something new that they would both have to work through—and an anger problem. He held shame and guilt and regret. Jenna was just as broken in her own ways, but she felt that same peace quelling her fears and insecurities. Jackson was right. She wasn’t ready tonight. But she didn’t think it would be long.
“Thank you, Jax.” She stood on tiptoes to speak in his ear. Her lips whispered over his skin. “This is the best surprise ever. You are everything I could want and though you’re right—I’m not ready tonight to say yes—I have no doubt I will be. Soon.”
With this last word of promise, he turned his head and swept her away in the kind of kiss that Jenna felt like had only existed in stories. But this was her life, her man, and she felt sure that they would have their happy ending.