Page 135 of Just Like That

His arms squeezed as his rough voice tickled my neck. “You’re just a romantic, slightly witchy optimist who always believes people can be better. What you may not realize is that people are better because ofyou. That’s really what your gift is.”

His chin rested on my shoulder as his words warmed me. “We’re just lucky enough to be in your glow.”

JP eased back on the bench and gripped my hips, moving me so I could turn and face him. I draped my legs over his and scooted forward, wrapping my arms around his neck.

His stormy eyes were dark and intense in the dim lighting. My skin hummed at every point of contact.

“Did your cards see this coming?” JP smirked before fishing something out of his pocket and holding it up.

My breath caught. Between his fingers, JP held a slim gold band. Perched on top was an obscenely large hexagon-shaped stone. The center stone was a deep and moody peacock blue, and each side had a cluster of three diamonds.

“JP,” I whispered in utter shock.

His jaw flexed as he reined in his emotions. “Hazel Adams, be my wife.”

“That’s not a question.” I laughed through the tears that tightened my throat.

JP smirked as he grabbed my left hand. “That’s because I’m not asking.” He slipped the ring onto my finger—a perfect fit. “Be my wife.” His forehead dropped to mine. “Walk this life by my side. Make me earn your love and respect every day. I promise you, I will. Let me show you how much I love you and Teddy with every breath. Be my wife. I’m not asking, I’m begging.”

My arms clung to him as a sob broke free. “Yes. Yes!” I giggled as shock and emotion took over. “You said you don’t make promises if you can’t deliver, right?”

He grinned. “That’s right. But I promise you right now, you will never regret becoming my wife.”

I leaned back, pressing a hand to my mouth and finally looking at the ring. JP was grinning as he took my hand and looked at the engagement ring himself. “It’s alexandrite—symbolizing fortune, luck, and embracing change. It’s considered a mystical stone because under incandescent light, it completely transforms. So it’s like me, when I’m near you. The king who fell from the tower, only to realizeyouwere the exact change I needed.”

“It couldn’t be more perfect.” I peppered his face with kisses as he laughed and stood, taking me with him. He spun, kicking up sand as we twirled and laughed like lovestruck teenagers. He set me on my feet and an uptick of giddiness zipped through me.

One black eyebrow on his forehead arched higher as a mischievous grin eased across my lips.

He knew exactly what I was up to.

Suppressing a smile, he lowered his voice. “Run.”

With a contented smile,I had dug my sister’s ashes out of the cabinet in the skoolie. Together we laid her to rest on the beautiful hillside at Sullivan Farms, where Teddy could always visit her. Duke and Sylvie were kind enough to allow Teddy to choose the location, and he’d opted for a sunny area close to a soaring oak tree.

Both Kings and Sullivans were present. When I asked JP about it, he shrugged and said, “I guess we’re all family now.”

I knew he still thought it was odd, but I loved that my little family had expanded from only Teddy and me to JP, his siblings, and all the Sullivans. They were a large, rowdy group, but no one could say they didn’t show up when people they loved needed it.

I’d never seen JP hugged so many times, and it made me laugh to think about how much he probably hated it.

I found it all to be very endearing.

Many tears were shed, and after I’d given a heartfelt, though rambling, eulogy, Teddy had asked to talk with his mom alone.

Choked with emotion, I nodded and gave him space.

His cheeks were splotchy when he walked down from the hill, but in a way, his shoulders seemed lighter—a little less burdened somehow.

JP and I had decided that finding a child and family therapist would help us all navigate our grief, and we were looking forward to our first family session next week.

Sylvie had used the opportunity to open her home for an extended family dinner. Their simple farmhouse was bursting at the seams, but the fire made it cozy, and I listened as conversations folded over one another.

When JP walked up to Duke Sullivan, curiosity got the best of me and I scooted closer to eavesdrop on their conversation.

JP crossed his arms. “I’ve been thinking a lot about the blueberry farming industry.”

Duke’s skeptical eyebrows shot up. “Thinking of trading in that suit for some dirty jeans?”

---