Page 88 of Simply Yours

Before he could second-guess himself, before fear or doubt could steal the moment, he slid the ring onto her finger, his calloused hands steady despite the pounding of his heart.

Caitlin sucked in a sharp breath, her eyes wide as she stared down at the ring, her fingers trembling slightly.

“No more waiting,” Jason said firmly. “No more dancing around it, no more trying to figure it out in my head. I want our life, our chaos, and our chance to exist in the same circles.”

Her lips parted, emotion shining in her gaze. “Oh, Jason…”

“I love you, Caitlin Barnes,” he continued, his voice turning rough, filled with the weight of everything he’d been too scared to say before. “But your last name really should be Baird by now.”

He watched her eyes shimmer in the dim light, the glow above the sink casting a faint halo around her.

“Will you do me the honor of marrying me?”

Her breath hitched. “Are you saying this because I nearly died or…?”

Jason let out a short laugh, shaking his head. “I’ve known since I found my mom’s ring that I wanted you to have it. And I think—” He swallowed, searching for the right words. “I think I’ve always known. Even when I was scared.”

She studied him for a long moment, her expression soft. “I understand,” she said gently.

He chuckled, shaking his head. “I know.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “I don’t understand sometimes how you can be so confident, so sure. But I know you were already there, just waiting for me to catch up.”

“I would wait for you forever.”

Jason sucked in a sharp breath, his hand tightening around hers. “Same,” he rasped. “And I think I realized that too—because in the ambulance, I kept panicking, thinking the worst. And I knew then that I didn’t want to live in a world without you. Without us.” He let out a watery laugh. “Without laughing together over crumb shots.”

Caitlin’s answering laugh was just as teary, her smile radiant despite the tears slipping down her cheeks.

“I love you, Catnip,” he whispered. “And it feels so darn good to say it aloud finally.”

Her fingers curled around his. “I love you too.”

“You’re coming home with me.”

“I know,” she whispered, a slow, content smile spreading across her lips. “And I’m glad.”

Jason smirked. “You don’t mind? I might be a little pushy and overprotective.”

She rolled her eyes playfully. “You’ve always been. And I adore that about you.”

His jaw clenched, the fear from earlier still lingering in his bones. “Don’t scare me like that again today.”

“I will do my darndest to never get bitten again,” she promised, her voice teasing but sincere.

Jason chuckled, relief washing over him as he stood, leaning over to press a lingering kiss to her lips, memorizing the feel of her, the warmth of her.

“Get some rest.”

She arched a brow. “Are you going to sit there and stare into nothing for another twenty minutes?”

“Maybe,” he admitted with a smirk.

“How about you come here, hold me, and never let me go?”

Jason choked out a laugh, emotion tightening his throat. “Are you inviting me into your bed? Dang, woman… such sexy talk.”

But she was already scooting over, weak but determined, making space for him in the hospital bed. He didn’t hesitate, climbing in beside her, pulling her close, wrapping her in the kind of embrace that promised everything—forever.

Jason held her close, his arms wrapped securely around her as though he could anchor her to him, keep her from ever slipping away. The weight of the moment settled in his chest—thick, undeniable, inescapable.

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