Page 86 of Craving You

“Are you…?”

But that’s when he noticed things looked a little different. There was a fresh bottle in the ice bucket, more strawberries, and then a small dessert tray with a variety of cakes and cookies.

“I…I don’t understand,” he began with a nervous laugh. “How did all of this get up here?”

“That’s what I was arranging after we were done eating. It was already planned, but I just needed to let them know to run everything up here,” she said before slowly sauntering over to him. When they were toe-to-toe, she took both his hands in hers.

It was obvious that she was nervous. She licked her lips and smiled up at him and he knew whatever she was about to say, she’d put a lot of thought into it.

“Maxwell Calloway, the weekend we met, I knew you were someone I wanted to know,” she said quietly. “I never expected the connection we instantly had, and I certainly never expected you to sweep me off my feet and give me the sexiest weekend of my life.”

He actually felt himself blush.

“The night we were in the emergency room, I had something I desperately wanted to say to you, but we got interrupted.”

He nodded.

“So if you’ll indulge me, I’d very much like to say it all over again.”

Another nod.

She took a steadying breath. “We’ve talked about me being pregnant and that means there’s a baby, but hearing that rapid little heartbeat just made everything real. Like…really real, and I’m already in love with that tiny little strawberry.” Pausing, she giggled. “It was one of the reasons I asked for strawberries tonight.” With another pause, she winked. “Anyway, I know we said we could live together and co-parent, but…I don’t want that. I don’t want to just co-parent with you, Max. I want us to have a life together. I want all the things you’ve been telling me we can have. You’re everything to me, and I love you.”

For a moment, he was certain he didn’t hear her right. It was almost like he could see her lips moving, but he wasn’t hearing her.

Then she said it again.

“I am so in love with you, Max.” Her big blue eyes filled with tears. “I’m so sorry that it took me so long and that I didn’t just trust you. I promise that I will make it up to you and…”

“Hailey,” he interrupted, his voice gruff and a little raw. “You don’t have to make anything up to me. I love you and hearing you say those words to me while you’re awake means everything to me.”

She bit her lip, looking seductive and sexy as hell. He was about to tell her that when she took a step back, picking her purse up from the bed.

“I wanted us to have a night away—to hit pause from reality like we’ve been known to do—because this place holds some special memories.”

“I agree.”

Then he watched as she slowly got down on her knees, looking like a damn fantasy, and…held up a ring.

What?!

“Max, I love you,” she said with a slight tremble in her voice. “Will you marry me?”

Slowly, he bent down and helped her to her feet. “Oh God, Hailey…I…no.”

Chapter Fourteen

I’m gonna be sick…

Trembling and mortified, she cursed herself for waiting too long. For making such a big spectacle out of tonight and having it all go so wrong.

When will I learn to stop being impulsive?

Max was gently grasping her arms, and she couldn’t even bring herself to look at him. “I…I um…I should go and…”

Her name was softly whispered, and then one hand came up and caressed her cheek, leaving her no choice but to look at him.

He was so damn handsome, and his face was just…it was everything she wanted to look at for the rest of her life. Right now, he was looking at her so tenderly that it made her heart ache.

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