Page 122 of Cooper

“How do you think I feel?” I counter. “You’re the most badass woman I’ve ever met, but you’re still a woman.Mywoman. It’s terrifying to think of you putting yourself in front of bullets, right in the line of danger. I have to let you do it, though, because that’s part of what makes you who you are. How could I truly love you if I try to take that from you?”

“Do you?” she whispers.

“Do I what? Love you?” I shake my head. “I’ve told you a few times already and have yet to hear you say it back. So let me articulate it, and you need to pay close attention.” I gently untangle her arms and take a step back.

Then I drop to one knee.

“Natalia Farkas. I love you more than I ever thought I could love another person. You make me a better man. You bring light to what I always thought was a permanently darkened soul. I don’t want to do life without you. Would you do me the biggest honor and become my wife?” I pull out the ring I only bought yesterday.

Her hands fly to her mouth, and she starts crying again.

But then she nods and holds out a shaky hand, allowing me to slide the diamond solitaire on her finger.

“Ryan.” She throws herself at me again, but this time our mouths come together hungrily, kissing and nipping and finding our rhythm. It’s not about sex but how we work together as a couple. The easy friendship. The passion. The love.

“I guess that’s a yes?” I ask when we finally pull apart.

“Yes. So many yeses.”

I smile.

And then the back door flies open, and her parents come out, laughing and hugging us.

“I guess they were listening?” I ask her.

“Listening. Watching. You’ll get used to it. That’s how it is in my family.”

“Wait.” Her father pauses after they’ve congratulated and hugged and kissed us multiple times. He goes around the corner, and I look to Natalia.

“What’s going on?” I ask her.

“I don’t know.” She looks confused too.

There’s a weird bleating sound, and then her father comes around the house.

Leading a goat.

On a fucking leash.

Oh my fucking god.

He bought a goat.

For her dowry.

I stare in horror, trying to wrap my head around this, and what I’m going to do with a goat.

“Gregor!” Eleneora bursts out laughing.

“Oh, Papa.” Natalia covers her laugh with her hand.

I’m still staring.

“This for you.” Gregor hands me the leash. “Dowry.”

I’m so shocked I take it.

“And Corvette,” he says, handing me a set of keys. He looks so serious I take those too.

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