Page 113 of Fireworks & Forehead Kisses

“You wantmeto take them to the clerk’s office?”

“No. I don’t want you to file them.”

She closed her eyes and tilted her head back as she took a deep breath. “Declan, I can’t be in a marriage?—”

“Without love, I know. I’m not asking you to.”

Her eyes opened, and she lifted her head back up.

“I love you, Ashley Nicole Thompson Wolfe. I’minlove with you.”

“You can’t… I don’t want you just to say that because?—”

“I’m not just saying that. I wouldn’tjustsay that. If I would just say that then I would have done it a long time ago. I love you. I think I fell in love with you when I saw you at the bar before you even turned around. I know that sounds crazy, but it’s true. Just from your back, I knew that you were different. I felt…connectedto you. The first night we spent together in the hotel, I wanted to tell you that I loved you. I had to stop myself from saying it.

“I’m not good with emotions, and that’s not all. The reason that Fatima didn’t think that I would go upstairs with you is because I have mysophobia. No one knows that. People just think I don’t like germs. She does because we got stuck in an elevator for fourteen hours, and I had a panic attack. I’ve never had one-night stands before or unprotected sex because the thought of it makes me physically repulsed. But with you… it was different. Everything was and is different.

“And I’m sorry I didn’t realize that I love you, that I’m in love with you, sooner, but I have problems with that, too. Besides the mysophobia, I have OCPD. It’s?—”

“Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, I know. I studied it in psychology.”

“So you know it makes it hard for me to identify and express my feelings. But today my grandmother gave me this. It’s a gift for us.” I pulled out the frame and handed it to her. As she read it, I explained. “I wrote that when I was in first grade. You are everything I’ve always wanted in a wife. But that’s notwhyI know I love you. That just makes me know that you’re perfect for me. I know I love you because you are the first thing I think about when I wake up and the last thing I think about when I go to bed. I know I love you because when you told me that you were sick, I wanted to get on a plane and fly home just to bring you tissues. I didn’t care if I got sick. All I cared about was if you were okay and making you better. I know I love you becauseonesmile from you on FaceTime makes me happier than I’ve ever felt and ever thought I could feel in my life. I know I love you because today I signed the papers giving me control of Wolfe Enterprises, and if I had the choice between the company and you, I would choose you.”

She lifted her head, and I saw that her eyes pooled with tears. “What?”

“I would choose you, Ashley. The company doesn’t meananythingif I don’t have you.”

“But that’s the only reason… you only asked me to marry you so you could…”

“Maybe that’s why I asked you to marry me. Or maybe you were handing in your resignation, and I didn’t want you out of my life, so I used that as an excuse and proposed. I don’t know. I can’t say for sure. But today, right now, I do know. If I had a choice, right now, it would be you. I would gladly give up everything—the company, the plane, the houses, the money?—”

“Whoa, let’s not go crazy,” she teased as a smile lifted on her face.

When it did, everything felt right again. My entire body relaxed.

“I’m serious, Ashley. You are everything to me. You’re all I care about. I love you.”

Two tears fell down her cheeks as her smile widened. I lifted my hand and brushed them away, then got down on one knee. “Ashley Nicole Thompson Wolfe, will you make me the happiest man in the world and not divorce me?”

“Yes!” She nodded. “Yes! I will not divorce you!”

I stood and lifted her into my arms. I nestled my face into her neck, inhaling the scent that was so uniquely her. “I love you, wife.”

“I love you, husband.”

Saying those words and meaning them was more valuable than any company or any number of zeroes in a bank account. Love was the most precious and rare commodity, and I almost missed out on experiencing its power thanks to living in my head. Hannah was right. I needed a heart person. I neededAshley. And thank God, by the time I figured it out, it wasn’t too late.

EPILOGUE

Ashley

ONE WEEK LATER

“So wait…you’re married?!”Zoe shouted over the music, laughter, and chatter at the bar as she stared down at the rock on my left hand.

The ladies and I were all seated at a corner booth in Southern Comfort while Harlan, Miles, Declan, and Nadia’s date, Will, were playing pool. The place was crowded, and there was an extra celebratory atmosphere in the air because it was New Year’s Eve. There were novelty hats, streamers, confetti, and banners adding to the festive atmosphere.

“Yep.” I nodded my head up and down.

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