Page 127 of Resisting the Running Back

I answer the last question, and then Victoria leads me from the back of the stage over toward the table where I’ll be sitting and signing. I see another bottle of water, a stack of Sharpies, and more stacks of books for sale in case anyone in line doesn’t have one. Desi is there, too, to help me out with anything I might need, and it’s a welcome relief to spot another friend.

There’s a row of workers ahead of me who are selling the book while I sit at the end of the table. One worker will write the next person’s name on a Post-it so I know how to spell it, and another will push the books over to me in order.

On the other side of the table are two more workers—one who will take photos and the other one who will direct the line. The one directing the line is currently blocking my view of the line, which is probably a good thing so I don’t get intimidated.

Victoria is running around taking photos and videos already, and as the organized chaos begins, she stands across from me to take video of the first book I will sign today.

The worker with the Post-its passes the first book to me, and I open it up and gasp when I see the name at the top.

Miller.

I glance up at the worker, and she’s smiling. There’s writing inside the book, and I recognize it immediately as Miller’s scrawl.

Tears heat behind my eyes.

Congratulations on your twelfth book. I’m so proud of you, and I will always be your biggest fan. I love you. I’ve always loved you, and I want to be by your side cheering you on for your thirteenth book, your thirtieth book, your hundredth book, and every book in between and beyond. Forever.

Whatever happens, I promise to be by your side forever. Not out of fear. Not out of obligation. Simply out of love. I have never loved anyone the wayI love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life showing you how much you mean to me.

“Oh my God,” I murmur, and when I finish reading, I glance up to find Victoria to tell her I need a minute before I start signing.

But instead of Victoria standing in front of me, it’s Miller Banks.

And he’s kneeling on the floor in front of my table.

I have no ideahowhe’s here.

All I know is that those words on that page? That’s what I want, too.

Forever.

CHAPTER 57: Miller Banks

Adopt a Penguin

I know we have an audience, so I do my best to keep things fairly quick—and fairly vague since we don’t need all these people knowing every intimate detail about our personal life. “I’m sorry the last few weeks have been strange, but I promise you, Soph, whatever happens, I’m here. I want this. All of it, the surprises and the excitement and the possibilities. I want a future with you. I want a life and a family with you. I have loved you for more than half my life, and I promise to love you for the rest of it. I can’t wait to marry you in February. Will you marry me?”

I hold my breath as I wait for her answer. My hands are trembling. Hers are, too, as they fly to cover her mouth.

We’re already engaged…technically—something I can see as I look at her hands covering her mouth. She’s wearing the ring I got her when we decided to go through with a fake engagement.

We already agreed we were going to go through with the wedding.

But I never got down on my knee to ask her.

Then things happened that changed our course, and this is my way of letting her know that nothing has changed for me.Regardless of what happened in the last few weeks, I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.

Tears are splashing onto her cheeks, and I’m still kneeling even though every instinct in me is telling me to get the fuck up and dry her tears. I can’t, though. I’m frozen to the floor as I hold my breath and await her answer.

“Yes, Miller. Yes. Of course I will.” She stands and moves around the table as I push to my feet, and I pull her into my arms. I lean down and drop my lips to hers as I hear cheering behind us.

I finally pull back and rest my forehead to hers. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” she whispers.

I catch her lips one more time with mine.

“What are you doing here?” she asks, pulling back. “Aren’t you missing camp?”

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