Page 202 of Innocent Intentions

Reaches into his pocket.

Drops to one knee.

Clears his throat.

“Margot, sweetheart… I remember when you told me you wanted a storybook love on our first dinner date. Someone to be your everything. Someone to hold you through the bad times and be by your side during the good ones. A best friend. Kissing, crying, fighting, all of it.”

He takes my hand.

“I want to be all of that for you. I am all of that for you. Just as you are for me.”

He pulls out the ring.

“I made this narration of our story to remind you how far we’ve come. Of every moment that led us here. I’ll never hide how I feel again. I promise.”

His eyes glisten.

“It’s our anniversary. A year ago today, we both went to get coffee. We didn’t get our drinks, but we did get each other.”

He swallows.

“Please let me be your forever. Let me be yours in every way.”

He takes a shaky breath.

“Margot Peterson, will you marry me?”

Full-body sobs break out of me in waves. I fling myself into his arms.

“Yes! Yes, Matty.Yes!”

He slips the ring on. I glance down at the round diamond in a delicate halo, set in white gold. Simple. Timeless. Perfect.

“Oh Matty…” I whisper. “It’s beautiful.”

“I made it for you,” he says softly.

He cups my face and kisses me like I’m the center of his universe. Like there’s no one else in the world.

Then he sweeps me into his arms, stands, and lowers me onto the cushions like I’m made of glass.

He hovers above me, eyes filled with wonder.

“Finally,” he breathes, “my Margot Montclair.”

And it sounds like home.

Epilogue II

Matthias

“So, Margot, have you guys decided when the wedding will be?” Mom asks.

We’re all gathered at my parent’s house for family dinner. Well, everyone except Roman. He’s running late, so we went ahead and started without him.

“We’re thinking between six months to a year,” Margot replies. “We’re not stressing too much about it.”

“That’s the way to do it,” Mom nods. “We’re here for anything you need.”

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