Page 154 of The Winslow Brothers

Her lips part, and her eyes frantically search mine. “You love me?”

“More than anything.” I nod. “I just want you. Only you. Twenty-four-fucking-seven with Sophie Sage. That’s all I want and need.”

All of a sudden, the sensation of something I purchased two days ago sits heavy in my back pocket. This something wasn’t in the plans for tonight, but when I saw it, I knew it had to be hers. And I had to be the one to give it to her.

Honestly, I don’t know why I brought it with me, but I think something deep inside my heart told me this moment wouldn’t be complete without it.

And before I know it, I’m getting down on one knee in front of her, pulling that something, which is a Tiffany blue box, out of my pocket.

“Babe, I need you to understand that I’m not the same Jude you first met at Club Craze,” I tell her, and her eyes grow wide with disbelief. “I’m the Jude after Sophie. The one who loves you with everything inside himself. The one who sees and wants and needs forever with you. You might be the first woman I’ve ever loved, but I know with absolute certainty, you’re theonlywoman I’ll ever love.”

I pop open the ring box to reveal a round diamond solitaire on a rose gold band. It’s beautiful and elegant and belongs on her finger.

“Sophie Sage, will you marry me?”

She takes the longest blink I’ve ever seen, and her eyes bounce between my face and the ring in my hand more times than I can track.

But eventually, she answers. And I’ll be damned if it doesn’t stab a knife right into my nuts.

“No.”

Sophie

“No?” Jude repeats, and it’s then I realize that everything that’s running through my mind hasn’t come past my lips.

Besides that one word—no.

Oh my God, Sophie!

His face is shocked, and his blue eyes look so sad that it feels as if my heart is trying to pound its way out of my chest soitcan be the one to tell Jude how I really feel.

“So, no?” he repeats again, shakes his head, and starts to move to get off his knee. “You don’t want—”

“Wait! That didn’t come out right!” I blurt and dive toward him so aggressively that I knock him backward onto the roof deck and my body lands on top of his.

“Holy hell, Soph,” Jude mutters, but I don’t give him time to say anything else.

“I love you, Jude!” I shout far too loudly, considering my face is just inches from his. “I’m in love with you!”

“You are?”

“I am.” I nod, and big, fat, elated tears start to stream down my cheeks.

This man just put everything on the line for me because he loves me.I’m certain I’ve never felt this kind of happiness inside my heart in my entire life.

His face pinches in confusion. “Then why the hell did you just say no to my proposal?”

“Not because I don’t want to marry you, because I do, Jude. I really,reallydo,” I answer with blunt honesty and a small,I know I’m a little crazysmile. “But just like you’re the guy who needed to propose to show his commitment, I’m the girl who needs to take it slow because of my messed-up view of marriage being this insane thing I need to achieve.”

“So…you want to marry me, but right now, you’re sayingno?”

“Yes.”

An amused smile begins to lift his lips. “Yes, you’re saying no.”

“Correct.”God, my heart feels like it’s going to pump right out of my chest.

“So, let me get this straight. You love me and you want to be with me, and you even want forever with me, but you’re saying no to marrying me right now?”

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