Page 124 of Word to the Wise

She narrows her eyes as I tug her closer, and one leg straddles mine.

I’m pretty sure it’s frowned upon, but since I already told them what I’m planning, they don’t yell up at us to get back on the rock.

The anchors are secure, and we’re the only couple climbing today.

“You aren’t even looking out at the view.”

“Yes, I am. And the only scenery worth looking at is right here.” Leaning in, I plant a kiss on her and love the smile that climbs her cheeks.

“You’re too good to me.”

“Nah, I’m just borderline acceptable.”

She shakes her head, pretending to swat at my chest, but I don’t budge. Her gaze dips to the tattoo peeking out of my sleeve on my forearm, and she starts tracing it like she often does.

When we started officially dating, she asked me what every single tattoo of mine meant. And she sat there while I explained each one. It was almost like looking through a photo album of heartbreak and memories, and she listened to the stories, like she was a part of them with me.

The next day I went to Echo and had her ink me as a surprise just for Reed—the stick figure picture she had drawn on the wall at the old Twisted Roses shop. It was painted over when we officially moved locations. But I had a photo of it up in my station at the new parlor because I didn’t want to truly leave it behind.

Reed didn’t believe it at first. She thought it was Sharpie, and I was kidding. But when she realized it wasreal, and I actually tattooed her picture on my forearm, she cried big happy tears that melted my heart.

It made me want to tattoo my entire body with memories of her just to make her happy like that always.

This girl is everything.

“I guess now’s a good time then,” I say as she hangs there for a minute looking out around us.

“For what?” She glances back at me.

Reaching in my pocket, I realize I really didn’t think this through since the harness is bunched up and I can barely get my fingers inside, but I make it work.

“The anticipation is killing me.” Reed’s eyebrows pinch as she watches me struggle.

“Ha. Ha. Very funny.” Finally, I snatch what I’m looking for, and somehow manage not to drop it.

Reed glances at my hand, and her face is still for a minute as she processes. Her eyes dart from the ring between my fingers to me before looking back again.

Her cheeks are the brightest pink. A perfect blush that compliments her strawberry lips.

“Mason, what is this?”

I tip her chin up to look at me. “I thought about doing this on one knee, but then I thought this would be more fitting because from the second I met you I’ve been floating.”

“That’s so cheesy.” She laughs, even as a tear slips out.

“You love it.” I wipe the tear from her cheek. “And I’m not kidding. You knock gravity right out from under me. You challenge me. You complete me. I made a promise to myself that if you ever gave me a chance, I wouldn’twaste it. I’d spend every day appreciating you, even if you someday figure out I don’t deserve you. I want to give you everything, Reed Jackson. Becauseyou’reeverything I need, and you gave meyou.”

Tears run down her cheeks as she blinks at me. Her lip trembles, and I drag my thumb over it.

“Will you marry me?” I ask her.

Air holds in my chest. The birds might even get quiet around us. I hang, literally suspended, waiting for her to decide if I can be worth it. If she can love me as much as I love her. Enough to give me all her days.

I hang here, with the only girl who has ever seen me, and I hold my heart out for her as proof that I’ll protect her own.

Reed blinks, kissing the pad of my thumb. “Of course I will, Mason.”

I pull her in for a kiss, and the ropes creak, which at any other moment might terrify me, but I don’t care right now. Reed said yes.

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