Page 86 of Deception & Daylight
“I…um…” It’s clear he didn’t think this through, and I stifle a giggle as the entire audience waits on bated breath for some sort of explanation. “I had this whole thing planned, but then I saw you and I completely lost the plot.” He smirks and the familiar way his eyes sparkle when he looks at me only confirms what I already know — I’m in love with Miles Barlow. He turns to the crowd then. “If you could just humor me for a minute, I’d appreciate it. I have some unfinished business to attend to.”
Before I can react, he sinks to his knees at my feet, and the crowd releases a collective gasp. “I love you, Maggie. I have loved you for an eternity, and I will love you for the rest of our lives if you’ll have me.” Those words.Mywords. Miles fucking Barlow is on his knees at my feet, quotingmybook. I open my mouth to respond, but he stops me with a finger on my lips. “You have challenged me, infuriated me, and changed me for the better. Letting you go was the biggest mistake of my life. I didn’t think I could be the man you need, but I’d like to be the man you choose.”
His rough palm cradles my cheek like I’m something precious, and every fear and doubt I had instantly melts away. “I love you, too.”
He smiles softly, brushing the hair away from my temple. “Say it again, Mags.”
“I love you.”
“Again.”
“I love you, Miles.”
“One more time for me, baby. I’ve been waiting to hear those words from your perfect fucking mouth for years.” His gruff voice pierces me almost as much as the disbelief in his eyes. He came here thinking I might turn him away, but he did it anyway, and somehow that’s not even the most romantic thing he’s ever done for me. This man is everything I didn’t know I needed.
Leaning forward, I cradle his face in both of my palms, punctuating each word with a kiss. “I. Love. You.”
“Fucking finally,” he breathes out the words like a promise before crushing his mouth to mine in a kiss that nearly brings me to my knees alongside him.
“I love you infinitely, Maggie Watson. Now, promise you’ll remind me every day for the rest of our lives.”
Another collective gasp fills the room and my eyes widen in shock. “What?”
“Marry me Mags. Marry me and let me love you the way you deserve. Marry me and make me the happiest man alive. Shit, you could marry me and tell me you hate me every goddamn day and I’d still tell you how much I love you just for being there.”
He pulls out a jaw dropping pear shaped engagement ring with a massive center stone and small, delicate diamonds encircling the gold band. “Say you’ll be Maggie Barlow. We’ll build a home together, go on adventures, be the cool aunt and uncle with amazing stories to tell. Whatever you want, say the word. Just be mine.”
“Are you begging, Miles? I thought you didn’t do that.”
“I’d crawl on my knees through broken glass if that’s what it takes. I love you in every language, on every planet, and in every alternate timeline. You were made for me.”
“Say yes,” someone screams, and the entire crowd murmurs their agreement.
“Say yes, baby,” Miles says, much quieter and for only me to hear.
“Yes.”
I throw myself into his arms, bringing us both crashing down in what should be an embarrassing display, but I can’t bring myself to give a fuck. Camera flashes go off and that’s when I realize this entire encounter has been recorded from every possible angle. I giggle as I gaze down into Miles’ eyes, his body pinned beneath mine on the carpet, before standing on wobbly legs.
I scan the crowd of onlookers with an awkward smile. The woman who asked the question Miles’ so enthusiastically interrupted looks highly amused by our little show. Miles looks down at me and back towards the woman. “Does that answer your question?”
Chapter 37
Mags
? Till Forever Falls Apart - Ashe, Finneas
Cade: Well played, Barlow.
Luca: You forgot the shin pads but good job, bro.
Paige: Does this mean my bestie is finally moving to Oak Ridge for good?
Miles: Kicking and screaming, if I have to.
Mags: There will definitely be screaming. ??
Miles: Please don’t give me a boner before I have to board this airplane.
