I’m second-guessing everything because of her crying. Why don’t I just ask her what she was crying for? Or evenifshe was crying?
Because I’m afraid.
No, not afraid, terrified. Terrified that she’s not as desperately in love with me as I am with her.
“Yes?” I ask hesitantly. My shoulders tense.
“I miss you too.” All the tension seeps from my body with those simple words. “The house feels empty without you.”
“Why were you crying?” I ask in a rush. Knowing that if I don’t ask her what is going on, it will drive me insane. I hear her sniffle again. “Susie, please talk to me.”
“I feel ridiculous.” She laughs. “Apparently, happy tears are not just for romance novels.”
“You’re crying because you're happy?” I can’t stop myself from snickering. Relief runs through my body. Shedoesn’tregret marrying me. I blow out a massive breath. “Thank goodness.”
“Thank goodness?” She giggles. “Me and happy tears are a relief to you?”
“If you had any idea the thoughts that were swimming through my head when I heard you crying, you wouldn’t be asking me that.”
“Aww, you do like me,” Susie’s voice is soft and filled with wonder.
My heart clenches, and my mouth goes dry.No. I’m pretty certain I love you.
But what I say out loud is. “You’re quickly becoming one of my all-time favorite people.”
“All-time favorite people?” She questions. “I’m not sure I’ve ever been someone’s all-time anything.”
“How is this even up for debate?” I tease. “How many other women do you know who will hide under tables to keep a secret?”
“I panicked!” Her laughter rings through the phone, and I realize I want to hear that laugh for the rest of my life.
“Which made you all the more likable.” I take a breath. “Speaking of you being my favorite person—”
“Don’t you mean ‘all-time favorite?’ She interrupts.
“Yes. Speaking of you being my all-time favorite person, I wanted to ask you something.” My heart pounds so hard I can feel it pulsing through my body. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this vulnerable in my life. “Would you consider marrying me for real, in front of our families?”
“I think it’s something I could strongly consider.” Humor laces her tone. “If it’s something you want.”
Warmth spreads throughout my chest and settles in my stomach. A huge grin sits on my face.
“It is.” The words ‘I love you’ are on my tongue, and I wish she were here with me right now. I’d tell her how in love with her I am and that I can’t imagine spending the rest of my life without her by my side. Then I’d kiss her senseless.
“I think when I get home, we should talk more about this, but first, I want to kiss you like I haven’t seen you in years. What do you say?”
“I think that’s something I can get behind.” I can hear her smile through the phone.
“Good night, Mrs. Daniels,” I whisper.
“Good night, Mr. Daniels,” she says softly. “Oh, Adam?”
“Yes.” My cheeks hurt from all this smiling.
“Make sure that you kick some butt tomorrow. I’ll be watching.”
My entire body shakes as the laugh floats out of my mouth, and my gut clenches at the same time.
“Will do! Sleep well, beautiful.”