Page 60 of Unbreak My Heart

Chapter Sixteen

Eva watched Simoninteracting with his brothers and extended family and marvelled at the happiness that bloomed through her entire body. This man was everything she’d ever wished for, everything she’d never believed could be in a real person.

But he was, and he was right in front of her.

She loved him. More and more each day. She hadn’t told him so yet, she didn’t want to rush him, but she had a feeling she’d fallen for him the day they went to the movies. Matty adored him and had become his little shadow when Simon was around, and Simon had even set up the spare room at his place with bedding and toys that he’d thought Matty would like.

He had. He’d squealed with joy and not left the room for hours when Simon had shown him that he had a space of his very own when they stayed overnight. His thoughtfulness and kindness to a child not his own continued to blow her away every time she saw them interact.

“Next round is on the house!” Max called, bursting her from her thoughts, his words creating even more shouts and cheers.

She couldn’t help the laugh that left her at that. People would do anything for free booze.

Champagne bottles popped and the beer tap didn’t stop as the guys handed out glass after glass until everyone had a drink in their hands. Eva glanced around when she felt her wine glass leave her fingers where she’d rested her hand, the base of the glass between her fore and middle fingers, her palm flat to the bar.

A grinning Simon pushed a glass of bubbles into the space he’d stolen her wine from.

A very nervous-looking Simon.

She raised a brow at him, and he shrugged. “To toast,” was all he said.

“To the parents to be!” Max yelled, and everyone lifted their drinks.

Eva turned on her stool and raised her own glass to her lips to take a sip. The bubbles fizzed and spat at her nose, and she jerked the glass back quickly at the sensation.

“What the …”

Holding the fancy crystal flute up to eye level, she squinted at something in the bottom. Bubbles danced in thick lines around an object, and she held it up to the light of the downlights in the ceiling above her.

Is that …

She blinked a few times, just to be sure she wasn’t seeing things, then her gaze flew to Simon who’d come around the bar to stand in front of her. He reached out and cupped her jaw, the seriousness of his expression sending goosebumps flying all over her.

“I love you, Eva. I’ve wanted to tell you for ages, but each time I tried I got all nervous and tangled up, so I’ve tried toshowyou instead. I want to be there for you and for Matty, to be the one you turn to, to give you both all the love you could ever need.”

Eva’s stomach somersaulted. He loved her. He really did.

She’d hoped, of course. She’d felt the care in his touch, seen it in the things he did for her and her son; but she hadn’t wanted to get ahead of herself, hadn’t wanted to read something into it that she’d wanted so badly, just in case she was seeing things that shewishedwere there.

Simon leaned his forehead to hers. “Marry me, Eva Adams. Let me be that person for you. Let me be the one you lean on.”

Eva’s breath caught in her throat. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. Tears stung her eyes as Simon pulled back to look at her.

Apprehension flashed over his face. “If it’s too soon, I—”

“Yes,” she managed. She nodded, unable to get enough air to reply properly. She placed her glass on the bar, sucked in a deep breath and tried again. “Yes.”

Relief flooded his eyes, that tightness leaving his face. He closed his eyes briefly. “Thank God for that. I was worried for a second.”

Eva threw her arms around his neck and held tight. Simon’s arms wrapped around her, and she’d never felt anything so wonderful as the contentment and excitement that suffused her.

“I love you, Simon. I’ve loved you for so long.”

His arms tightened and his head went to her shoulder. “You and Matty mean everything to me.”

He pulled back and Eva looked at the bar where she’d left her glass, only to find it now empty of champagne. A sly grin smirked back at her from Max’s happy face. The ring still sat at the bottom, glinting in the light from above. He’d known.

Simon picked up the glass and tipped it, the ring tumbling out into his hand.

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