Page 90 of How Sweet It Is

“Yes,” I say, laughing.

“So, I didn’t need to propose?”

I whack his shoulder. “Don’t you dare take it back.”

He chuckles and pulls me close. “I wouldn’t dream of it. You’re mine, Claire Matthews. Forever.”

I look up at him and realize I never told him where I lived. “How did you know where to find me?”

“Private investigator.”

I grin up at him. “You don’t do anything halfway, do you?”

He grins and pulls back just enough to slide the ring on my finger. “Nope.”

I can’t stop smiling. My cheeks ache, my heart is racing, and my hand is shaking with the weight of the ring. It’s not just the sparkle catching the light—it’s everything it represents. Him. Us. This life we’re going to build.

I glance up at him, the man I never expected to fall for, never expected to need. But I do. So much.

Levi Barrett—flirty, infuriating, ridiculous Levi—just promised me forever. And I believe him.

My voice is thick with happy tears when I say, “I guess this means I’m yours now.”

His smile is crooked, a little smug, a lot soft. “You’ve always been mine.”

Then he kisses me. And it’s not the kind of kiss that’s rushed or desperate. It’s slow. Tender. Reverent. Like he’s memorizing the moment, sealing the promise between us with the brush of his lips against mine.

I sink into him, into the warmth of his hands cupping my face, the press of his chest against mine, the familiar scent of sugar and cinnamon still clinging to him. He tastes like the future. Like hope. Like every good thing I didn’t think I deserved but somehow found anyway.

His thumb brushes away a tear on my cheek. “Hey,” he murmurs against my lips, “no crying. You’re ruining my whole cool-fiancé vibe.”

I laugh into his kiss, and he grins like he’s just won the lottery. And maybe he did. But so did I.

Because this—his mouth on mine, his arms around me, this whole ridiculous, wonderful life we’re piecing together—this is everything.

EPILOGUE

MICAH BARRETT — SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22

Ipark my little blue Honda in the driveway and sit, staring at the house I grew up in. I quit college last week but haven’t had the guts to tell anyone, so I’ve been sneaking in and out of Cricket’s basement, pretending to be on campus. Her parents are touring Asia and won’t be back for another month, so she said I could crash in the spare room now that Levi’s engaged.

Cricket’s house is two doors down, so that’s been fun, parking several streets away so my brother doesn’t see my car at her house. Not that he would notice, him being a newlywed and all, but I’m still a little neurotic about it.

A knock comes on my window, and I jerk at the sound. It’s only Cricket. I roll my window down. “Hey. What’s up?”

“Why are you sitting in your car?” Cricket wrinkles her nose.

I pull off her glasses and grab my microfiber cloth to clean them. I have no idea how she sees out of these things when they’re this dirty. “Because I don’t want to go in just yet.”

“Is this about you quitting school?” She squints at me.

“Shh,” I say, looking around. “Don’t say it so loud.”

She rolls her eyes. “Your YouTube channel is making bank. You’re allowed to make a sound financial decision.”

“Tobias won’t see it that way.” I finish cleaning her glasses, and I slide them back onto her face.

“Thanks.” She adjusts them higher on her nose. “And it’s fine if Tobias has a difference of opinion, but it’s your life. He’ll get over it eventually.”

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