Page 106 of Protecting Her Secrets

He sits on the bed, and I step between his legs. “I love you so much. I hate that we lost so much time, but I can’t help but think it was for the best. The versions of ourselves we are right now are so much better than we were back then, and I don’t think we would’ve gotten here without that time apart.”

“I agree. I think subconsciously, we knew it too, and that’s why we never divorced.”

“I would like a redo, though. Only this time, maybe I could be sober?—”

“And not abandon me in the middle of the night.”

“Exactly.”

“I was thinking that too. Actually, I have a present for you. It’s in the top drawer of my nightstand.”

“You do?”

He pulls on his lounge pants while I dig through the drawer, finding a little velvet box. Taking it from me, he lowers to a knee, and I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. I’m in my granny panties and ugly bra, and he has a casted hand and a splinted shoulder. These conditions are not ideal for a romantic proposal.

“I never got to do this the first time.” He clears his throat. “Skylar Carter?—”

“I don’t have your last name,” I say.

“You should change that. We’re already married.” He clears his throat again. “Skylar Hill, I’ve loved you since the first day I saw you in science class. You had on those dorky safety glasses, but I never saw anyone look more beautiful. I knew that first day, I wanted to marry you, and there hasn’t been a single day since that I haven’t wanted you as my wife, not even when we were hundreds of miles apart. Will you do me the honor of marrying me again?”

I cover my mouth, my eyes glossing over as I watch him struggle to open the ring box. “Need help?”

“I can do it.” He sets it on his knee and tries to pry it open, but it flips up into the air. My brows lift, and he looks up at me and sighs. “Can you help?”

“Yes.” I reach down and open the box, gasping at the solitaire inside. It’s not huge, but it’s not small either. It’s the most perfect princess-cut diamond I’ve ever seen. “Walker, it’s beautiful.”

He beams proudly. “Is that a yes?”

“Of course! Marrying you was the best decision I ever made. I can’t wait to do it again.”

THE END

Epilogue

Walker

I adjustmy tie in the mirror, feeling like a poser. The last time I wore a tie was. . . I don’t remember the last time I wore a tie. I wouldn’t even be wearing one today if my wife didn’t demand it.

“It’s fucking choking me,” I grumble.

“It’s not choking you,” Wilder says. He brushes his hands over my shoulders. “You clean up nice.”

“Thanks, I think.”

“Wilder’s right. You look so handsome,” Rowan says in a feminine voice.

“Shut the fuck up.”

“Where are the kids?” Ridge asks because the man is obsessed with my children. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had a couple of his own soon.

“They’re with the women.”

“Damn.”

“I still don’t understand why you’re having a wedding. You’re already married,” Wilder says. “It doesn’t make sense.”

“Because you’re not romantic. They were so blasted, they didn’t even remember their first wedding, so this is their chance to do things right.” Rowan grins.

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