Page 85 of Fool Me Once

“TheXmarks the spot where you were standing the first time I saw you. Because you had tripped over this.” I wave toward the bump on the sidewalk that’s been there my entire life. “I was only in third grade. I didn’t understand how love worked, and I wasn’t even interested in girls at that point, but I somehow knew in that moment that you were going to be in my life forever.”

I’ve wanted this for so long. Even when we were apart, I knew deep down that, one day, she’d return to me because she was my endgame. But throwing a ring on her finger wasn’t something I could do right after shemoved in because that wouldn’t have been fair to her while she was still working on healing.

“We’ve had some pretty trying times, Firefly, but the second you came back to Portland, I knew I would never let you go again.” I take her hand in mine. “I know you needed time—understandably so—but if you’re ready now … I would love to put a ring on your pretty finger. And get married and share my last name with you, if that’s okay.”

Tears stream down her face, and her eyebrows knit together as she nods her head. “Yes,” she squeaks, continuing to nod. “Yes. Yes. One million times … yes.”

I waste no time sliding the ring onto her finger and kissing her hand. Grabbing my cheeks, she practically yanks me to my feet, attacking my lips with hers. Storm wags his tail and nudges his nose against my leg eagerly.

“I love you, baby,” I murmur against her lips. “So fucking much.”

“I love you too.” She sniffles, holding her hand out beside us, staring at the ring. “It’s so perfect. Thank you.”

Though it’s far from a small rock in the center of the ring, I knew she wouldn’t want anything too flashy because that’s not who she is. Gemma is subtle and delicate while also being breathtaking. I wanted the ring she wears from this day forward to be a reflection of her. And judging from the pictures I saw long ago of her previous engagement, I chose the opposite of the ring that motherfucker had gotten her.

“What in the hell is going on out here?” my sister suddenly calls from our front door. “You two are, like … dry-humping on the sidewalk.”

I groan, thankful that Gemma’s family hasn’t figured out what’s going on yet.

I asked her dad a few months ago if, when the time was right, I could propose. Part of me really hadn’t wanted to ask him because it was his fault that it’d taken us this long and a few detours to get to this point, but I know he loves her and she loves him. I didn’t tell anyone else I was planning on doing it today because I didn’t want her to feel like a spectacle. I wanted it just to be us.

As our family starts to file out from their houses, trying to figure out what all the commotion is about, I throw my arm around her shoulders and tuck her against me. She holds her hand up and beams at our families while she giggles.

“Guess we’re getting married!” she yells, practically bouncing on her feet before looking up at me and giving my cheek a slight squeeze. “I’m so happy.”

“Me too, Gem.” I kiss her temple. “Maybe, to really top things off, you could sleep in your bedroom tonight, and I could sneak in through your window, like old times.”

“I heard that!” her dad hollers out, but even he doesn’t look as pissed as he normally would about something like that.

“Smith Sawyer, if I had known you were doing that, I would have whooped your ass!” my mom yells, rushing across the road toward us and holding her arms out. Throwing them around both of us, she sobs. “I’m forever grateful that the two of you found your way back to each other. Especially when it mattered most.” She stands on her tippy-toes, kissing my cheek. “I am so proud of the man you have become.” Her eyes narrow. “Even though it’s bullshit that you used to sneak into Gem’s room, asshole.”

I give her an amused look. “Really? Saylor’s probably done worse.”

My mom swings an appalled gaze in my sister’s direction, and she meekly shrugs.

“I could defend myself, but you all know I whored my way around for a hot minute there.”

“Saylor!” my mom hisses.

I think Gemma and I are both thankful when she saunters off toward my sister, and my dad walks up to us, giving us both a hug.

“You know you’ve been a part of the family for a long time now, Gem.” He smiles. “Hell, sometimes, I’d probably take you over Smith.”

“Thanks,” I utter, rolling my eyes.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled.” Dad looks between both of us. “You two have always been meant to go the distance. I know it.”

“All I can say is … about fucking time,” Silas jokes, a huge-ass smirk covering his face as he hugs us both.

“You’re not kidding,” I utter, feeling the same damn way about it.

Once he walks off, it’s Gemma’s family’s turn, and they all start toward us.

William is the first to give his sister a hug, but then he shakes my hand, holding it roughly. “Don’t do anything stupid again. I don’t want to haveto kick your ass,” he says in a half-joking, half-serious tone before slapping a hand on my back. “Welcome to the family, brother.”

As Gemma hugs her mother, her dad stands before me. He’s much stronger than he was all those months ago when I brought his daughter home to share her truth, but I know his entire family will always be scared of his cancer returning. If that’s taught me anything, it’s to take chances and fight for what I want. And what I want—and have always wanted—is his daughter.

“You never dim her light, Smith. If anything, you help her burn brighter.” He swallows roughly, fighting off emotions because this man hates showing them. “I wish I could have seen the man you were going to one day become because I never would have done what I did. I’m sorry for that, but I’m glad that she has you now.” He holds his hand out for me to shake. “Thank you for healing her. You’re a good guy, and you’ll make a damn good husband.”

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